What does AI mean for the future of universities?
We’ve entered a new normal. If you make this technology available, a lot of people are inevitably going to use it. What interests me is the effect this has on the future of universities. Is it worth spending three or more years in higher education (and spending £30k on fees alone) when you can – in theory – leverage AI to educate yourself in a fraction of the time?
University isn't just about the learning, of course, but it's a big part of it. UK institutions are already struggling and increasing fees might not help if student numbers are dropping, so what then? In many fields a degree will still be a prerequisite for landing a job, but in the world of software engineering it's definitely not anymore. It's inevitable that this trend will spread to other industries, especially creative ones. Does it mean universities become more of a privilege for the rich elite, or does it mean a levelling of the playing field?
Either way, it would be a huge shame for young people to miss out on the university life experience, and I'm not sure how you replicate that if you go straight from school into work. Perhaps an alternative shared living experience – think student accommodation repurposed for young workers – or something involving travel or working abroad. But could this really replace the classic student experience of independence, social bonding, and intellectual discovery? It may well have to.