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Young Adults Grapple with AI’s Role in Their Future Careers

Young Adults Grapple with AI’s Role in Their Future Careers

As generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT gain traction, young people entering the workforce voice mixed feelings about the technology’s impact on their futures. For 21-year-old Rebeca Damico, ChatGPT’s public release in 2022 during her sophomore year at the University of Utah conveyed a sense of trepidation.

“For me, as someone who follows the rules, I was very scared,” Damico said. “I was like, oh, I can’t think about using it, because they’ll know.” Her professors enforced strict policies against using AI, labeling it a form of plagiarism.

Damico, now preparing to graduate, initially considered AI tools a threat to the writing industry, particularly as students faced the temptation of completing assignments quickly with AI assistance. “I know people that started using it to write their entire essays. I know people that got caught. I know people that didn’t,” she shared.

Job Market Pressures

Amidst stern warnings from professors, the job market increasingly demands familiarity with AI technologies. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a statewide partnership to integrate AI curriculum into public colleges, underscoring the technology’s relevance.

Research from the World Economic Forum reveals that 75% of professionals currently utilize AI, with many hiring managers prioritizing AI skills alongside traditional experience. The question arises: how should educational institutions balance warnings about AI’s potential misuse with the necessity of teaching these modern skills?

Mixed Messages in Academia

Across universities, responses to AI vary widely. While some institutions like the University of Utah impose stringent guidelines, others, such as Stanford, adopt a more flexible approach, permitting consultations with generative AI under certain conditions.

Virginia Byrne, an associate professor at Morgan State University, emphasizes the need for instructors to embrace AI, often assigning projects that explore its strengths and weaknesses. “It’s cool to be in a space with people doing research related to different applications of AI,” Byrne noted, advocating for a balanced understanding of AI’s role in education.

The Future is Uncertain but Bright

As students navigate these challenges, they also express optimism about AI’s role in their careers. 25-year-old MBA student Shriya Boppana uses AI tools daily to enhance productivity, recognizing their transformative potential in various industries.

Despite concerns about the pressures AI creates, students like Boppana and Damico see opportunities for growth. Boppana states, “There’s so much beauty in the way that AI helps human beings. I think you just have to find your space within it.” As the landscape of work continues to evolve, understanding and integrating AI technology will be essential for young professionals stepping into the future.