Youth & AI | Careers, College, and High School Education

As AI slowly takes over the classroom, students debate an uncertain future. Jobs are snatched away with an assumption of AI replacement. So, the main question: how do young people plan for their future when AI seems to influence every aspect of their lives?

A volunteer staffer interviewed other high school students to understand their opinions on the matter.

A music student, Jane, shared, “I personally believe that AI is ruining the music industry. Not only does it take all the fun out of the process, it also steals from other bands. For example, a metal band called Broken Avenue has not only used AI for their band but used it to steal someone else’s cover art and song. This new method of creating music takes away from the meaning of music and I think that AI music generating websites should be shut down.”

Film student, Sahej, supports AI in both careers and education. She noted, “every generation has a new sort of technological innovation that people learn from and adapt with. When computers were first invented, people didn’t like using them and thought that they were harmful, and yet now they are a very useful and integral tool to society. It is the same way with AI. When we use it as a tool rather than something that can harm us, it can really benefit students in terms of their educational careers.”

A third group of students have mixed opinions about AI. Political Science student, Lily, acknowledge its harms, but does not see it as an uncontrollable problem. She said, “AI is something that's always on my mind, and definitely something that I worry about when I think about employment. However, I believe that interpersonal skills are going to be irreplaceable and if you find a niche in changing the world, you’re not going to be replaceable. That’s why I want to go into a major like Public Policy so that I can write new legislation and reforms.”

These perspectives reinforce a reality: students have to consider AI when choosing college majors, trade schools, and future careers. But, young people don't want their dreams dashed before their lives even begin. They're looking to legislators to set guardrails that provide hope for a long and healthy life.

CARIN'S STANCE | Regulate AI, setting standards across industries including education, social media, replacing human jobs, and medical advances.

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Meera Joshi, Volunteer, Carin for Congress. Edited by Carin Elam

Image Credit: AI for University & College students - adopt or shun?