Preparing for an uncertain future

Several major technology companies have announced layoffs in 2024, with some, including Dell and Cisco, citing AI as a critical part of their strategy to compensate for the loss of thousands of employees.

While Dolber said it is not uncommon for employers to use technological change as a rationale for downsizing, reductions in the workforce can create anxiety about getting into college, selecting the right major, and entering the right line of work.

"Having a historical perspective and understanding that we have been through massive technological and economic change before—and that society as a whole will shape how that process unfolds again—can keep us from panicking and feeling like we have no power," Dolber said.

So what should a student trying to anticipate the future of the job market do?

It is difficult to speak in specifics, but Dolber championed pursuing a quality education that teaches what AI continues to fall short on: critical thinking and ethical reasoning. Dolber says those skills are "going to be necessary not just to keep one step ahead of the robots but to shape what our world looks like when there is so much contingency and instability."

Hone the skills that machines strive to replicate, noted a Harvard Business Review article co-written by noted business thinker Dorie Clark and Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, author of "I, Human: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique." The authors noted that AI responses only rely on text prediction and not true human experience. The essential question a student must ask while learning is, "What can I do that a robot can't?"

Apart from developing skill sets outside of AI's capabilities, Dolber still recommends understanding these new tools. "It's part of being literate in the 21st century," he said. Using these new tools and approaching them with an open mind can help a young student better incorporate them into their arsenal when it comes time to enter the workforce.

Finally, the Harvard Business Review recommends undertaking real-world tasks. "It's essential to recognize that one thing AI can't disrupt is our analog, in-person connections with others," the article noted. For a prospective professional, this means cultivating real-life relationships through meetings, meals, attending conferences, and striking up conversations. These connections will eventually become competitive differentiators in a crowded marketplace.

Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.

This story originally appeared on HeyTutor and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.