Former Google AI leader Jad Tarifi has questioned the long-term relevance of traditional higher education, warning that lengthy degrees such as law, medicine and even PhDs could lose value in an AI-driven world. According to him, artificial intelligence is advancing so rapidly that by the time students graduate, much of what they learned may already be outdated.
Tarifi, who earned a PhD in AI in 2012 and helped build Google’s first generative-AI team, said young people risk spending years in academic programmes that struggle to keep pace with technological change. He argued that even complex fields like robotics may see major AI breakthroughs before today’s PhD students complete their studies.
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Questions over medical and legal training
He pointed out that medical and legal education often requires a decade or more and relies heavily on memorisation. In contrast, AI systems evolve continuously and update knowledge in real time, while university curricula change slowly. As a result, graduates may enter the workforce with partially obsolete training.
However, Tarifi did not suggest that doctors or lawyers will become unnecessary. Instead, he indicated that these professions will be reshaped, with AI playing a central supporting role in diagnosis, research, documentation and decision-making.
Human skills to define future success
Tarifi urged young people to focus less on chasing degrees and more on developing uniquely human capabilities, including:
- Building deep interpersonal relationships
- Strengthening emotional intelligence
- Enhancing self-awareness and independent judgment
He argued that these qualities are difficult for AI to replicate and will become the primary differentiators in the job market.
Growing debate in Silicon Valley
The remarks reflect a broader conversation in the technology industry about whether universities can keep up with rapid innovation. Many companies are already shifting toward skill-based hiring, prioritising practical experience, portfolios and problem-solving ability over formal credentials.
Challenge for education systems
Experts say AI will force major changes in education, including:
- More flexible and frequently updated curricula
- Greater emphasis on lifelong learning
- Stronger interdisciplinary training combining technology, ethics and domain knowledge
In countries like India, where large numbers of students pursue professional degrees, the debate could influence both education policy and employment structures.
Degrees unlikely to disappear entirely
Education specialists maintain that professions such as medicine, law and research will not vanish, but their nature will evolve into AI-augmented roles. Future training is expected to move away from rote learning toward critical thinking, ethical reasoning and the ability to work alongside intelligent systems.
Overall, Tarifi’s comments are being viewed as a warning to traditional education models: in the age of AI, continuous learning and adaptable skills may matter far more than the degree itself.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
