Digital Download: Career Choices for the AI Generation

By Delegate Cliff Hayes Jr.

A new generation is being born into a world where artificial intelligence is not an add-on, but a constant presence.  For these children, AI will shape nearly every career path they might one day pursue.  The challenge and the opportunity lies in how they prepare for a future where technology is both a partner and a disruptor.

First, they must focus on what makes us uniquely human.  AI can process data faster than any person, but it cannot replicate empathy, ethics, creativity, or leadership.  Careers in law, medicine, education, the arts, and public service will increasingly depend on these human-centered skills.

Second, the AI generation must embrace lifelong learning.  Unlike earlier times when people trained for one career, these students will prepare for multiple.  Industries will change, and new jobs will appear, so they’ll need to constantly re-skill through certifications, online courses, and evolving academic programs.

Third, opportunity will thrive at the intersections.  Imagine AI applied in healthcare, agriculture, environmental science, or law.  Those who can blend disciplines and combine  technical know-how with real-world expertise will be the innovators.

Fourth, ethics will matter.  As AI grows in influence, so will the need for professionals who can ensure it is used responsibly and fairly.  This generation must be equipped not just to use AI, but to question it, guide it, and make sure it serves society as a whole.

Finally, adaptability is essential.  Many of the careers that today’s children will enter do not even exist yet.  Their success will come not from resisting change, but from being ready to pivot and create opportunity where none existed before.

In short:  the AI generation must learn to partner with technology while mastering the timeless strengths of humanity.