Jad Tarifi , a pioneer of artificial intelligence and the founder of Google 's first generative AI team, has issued a stark warning to the next generation of professionals: AI's rapid advancement may soon make advanced degrees in law and medicine an exercise in futility.
In an interview with Business Insider, Tarifi -- who left Google in 2021 to start his own company, Integral AI -- argued that as AI capabilities improve, the traditional paths to becoming a doctor or lawyer could become obsolete. His perspective challenges the common belief that advanced degrees are a guaranteed way to secure a future in a job market increasingly influenced by technology.
How AI will destroy traditional degrees
Tarifi believes that the traditional medical and legal educational models are fundamentally flawed for the age of AI. "In the current medical system, what you learn in medical school is so outdated and based on memorization," he said. He sees years of seeking these degrees as "throwing away" a significant portion of one's life.
Tarifi also advised caution for those considering a PhD in AI itself. He explained that the technology is evolving so fast that by the time a person completes a multi-year doctoral program, the problems they set out to solve will likely already be addressed. He offered an alternative to the traditional path, suggesting that students should either focus on very niche fields, like AI for biology, or simply not pursue a PhD at all unless they are truly "obsessed with the field."
Instead of focusing on specialized technical skills, Tarifi believes the most valuable work is "more internal," suggesting people focus on developing core human skills like emotional intelligence, meditation, and socializing with friends.
In an interview with Business Insider, Tarifi -- who left Google in 2021 to start his own company, Integral AI -- argued that as AI capabilities improve, the traditional paths to becoming a doctor or lawyer could become obsolete. His perspective challenges the common belief that advanced degrees are a guaranteed way to secure a future in a job market increasingly influenced by technology.
How AI will destroy traditional degrees
Tarifi believes that the traditional medical and legal educational models are fundamentally flawed for the age of AI. "In the current medical system, what you learn in medical school is so outdated and based on memorization," he said. He sees years of seeking these degrees as "throwing away" a significant portion of one's life.
Tarifi also advised caution for those considering a PhD in AI itself. He explained that the technology is evolving so fast that by the time a person completes a multi-year doctoral program, the problems they set out to solve will likely already be addressed. He offered an alternative to the traditional path, suggesting that students should either focus on very niche fields, like AI for biology, or simply not pursue a PhD at all unless they are truly "obsessed with the field."
Instead of focusing on specialized technical skills, Tarifi believes the most valuable work is "more internal," suggesting people focus on developing core human skills like emotional intelligence, meditation, and socializing with friends.
You may also like
Smart Village scheme should not become mission to mint money, Uddhav Thackeray's Saamana
Big B talks about how time spent on 'KBC' floor was special for him
One exhausted auto driver, one cribbing techie - Their midnight ride and conversation gave the techie a life lesson
The world's tallest Ganesha statue is not in India but in this country; its height is equal to that of a 12-storey building
Australia joins India, others in suspending postal deliveries to US
