Source: Fortune
Summary
The president of Davidson College argues that a quality college degree provides an enormous return on investment and makes graduates “AI-proof”. He cites the skills required by corporate executives in an AI economy, such as critical thinking, adaptability, and teamwork. Liberal arts colleges, in particular, foster these skills and provide stability and adaptability in an AI-driven environment.
Our Reading
The announcement sounds familiar. The president of Davidson College, who also happens to be the author, makes a case for the value of a liberal arts education in the age of AI. He cites the example of his own college, where 95% of graduates are employed or in grad school six months after graduation. The article quotes various executives, including those from Microsoft and SAP, who emphasize the importance of soft skills, critical thinking, and adaptability. The author concludes that liberal arts colleges provide an incredible ROI in an AI-driven world.
The numbers tell a familiar story. Davidson College’s mission statement includes cultivating “humane instincts” and “lives of leadership and service”, which sounds like a dictionary entry for the skills required in an AI economy. The article’s emphasis on soft skills and adaptability is a common refrain in the corporate world.
The strategy enters a familiar phase. As AI takes over certain jobs, the author argues that liberal arts colleges provide the skills to pivot into new roles. The example of Erika Dean, a Davidson College grad who went from working at Bank of America to becoming a global product lead at Google, illustrates this point.
The author’s conclusion that liberal arts colleges provide stability and adaptability in an AI-driven environment is a familiar pitch. However, the article’s emphasis on the value of a college degree in the age of AI is a new twist.
The situation can be reframed as: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Despite the rise of AI, the value of a college degree and the skills it provides remain crucial in the job market.
Author: Evan Null
