5 Key Takeaways
- Jad Tarifi, ex-Google AI chief, warns against pursuing PhDs due to the rapid evolution of AI and technology.
- He believes traditional long degree paths like medicine and law may soon become obsolete.
- Tarifi suggests real learning and adaptability happen outside academia, not through slow, formal education.
- He champions emotional intelligence, empathy, and intuition over technical credentials for success in the AI age.
- Roles involving human connection, such as nursing, are less likely to be replaced by AI, according to experts.
Why Chasing a PhD Might Not Be Worth It in the Age of AI: Advice from Google’s Former AI Chief
If you’re thinking about getting a PhD to jump on the artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagon, you might want to pause and reconsider. Jad Tarifi, the man who built Google’s first generative AI team, has a surprising message: “Don’t bother with a PhD—unless you’re truly obsessed.”
Tarifi, who himself has a PhD in AI from the University of Florida, recently spoke to Business Insider about the fast-changing world of technology. Despite his own academic background, he doesn’t recommend the long, traditional route for most people. According to him, by the time you finish a PhD (which can take five years or more), the AI landscape will have changed so much that your knowledge might already be outdated. “AI itself is going to be gone by the time you finish a PhD,” he warns. Even areas like AI for robotics could be solved by then.
So, what should you do instead? Tarifi suggests that unless you’re deeply passionate about a very specific, still-emerging field—like using AI in biology—it’s better to skip the long academic journey. He believes that real learning and growth happen outside the classroom, in the real world where things move much faster. “If you’re unsure, just say no and focus on living your life. You’ll learn more and adapt better to changes,” he says.
Tarifi’s skepticism isn’t just about AI degrees. He also questions the value of other long, traditional paths like medicine and law. He points out that medical school often teaches outdated information and relies too much on memorization. In his view, spending eight years chasing credentials that might soon be less valuable is not a wise investment.
So, how can you succeed in the age of AI? Tarifi believes that emotional intelligence—skills like understanding people, reading situations, and communicating well—will matter more than technical degrees. He encourages people to work on themselves: meditate, spend time with friends, and get to know your own emotions. These “soft skills” will help you thrive in a world where technology is always changing.
This idea is echoed by Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, who recently said that jobs involving human connection, like nursing, are unlikely to be replaced by machines. While AI can help with some tasks, there are many things we’ll always want humans to do.
In short: Don’t chase degrees just for the sake of it. Focus on learning, adapting, and building real connections—those are the skills that will last.
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