WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Artificial intelligence is still top of mind as more businesses begin to use the new technology. A 2025 Harvard Youth poll says 59% of young adults see it as a threat to their job prospects.
This is creating a search for A.I.-proof jobs, but what does that look like, and are there any industries that will not be affected?
“AI is just another way I have to present that I am a better candidate than that computer ever will be,” said Rachel Wahlgren, a junior at Wichita State University.
Wahlgren is studying to be a chemistry and business field major. She says the two disciplines see the use of A.I. differently.
“It’s very interesting how they have very different perspectives on it,” Wahlgren said.
She says that on the chemistry side, the technology is not reliable enough when solving equations. However, the business side says A.I. is something to learn to live with rather than avoid.
“I went to school to get an education, and I would like to use my education,” Wahlgren said.
Wahlgren is not alone. First year advisor at WSU, Monica Bergkamp, says choosing a major that is safe from A.I. is a moving target.
“We have to respect it,” Bergkamp said. “I think it would be asinine to not respect it and not understand that it is kind of the way of the future.”
She also says avoidance is not an option, but it can be a way to enhance your career.
“If you learn to work with it, it can be a beautiful thing,” Bergkamp said. “But it has to be, again, it’s not the solution, it’s a solution.”
Students at WSU on Monday said they are a bit concerned about A.I. affecting the work force as they begin to enter it, but also said that overall, they are still feeling pretty optimistic about it. They said that the work a human produces will still outshine the work a computer does.
“We’re diminishing the quality of our community for the sake of using technology that isn’t necessarily a necessity in a lot of situations,” said Maddy Busby, a graduate student at WSU.
Busby is studying for her masters in Communication. She says the issue we are seeing is due to an overreliance on technology.
“A.I. is a really valuable tool when it’s used the right way,” Busby said. “I think it’s important to keep in mind, it’s very frustrating, but it’s frustrating primarily because we’re abusing a tool.”
Bergkamp says that she will not discourage anyone from pursuing any major they have an interest in. Instead, she suggests they learn about the challenges they may face with A.I. in that major, and learn to adapt and work with the technology.
“I really feel as though things have a way of working out,” Bergkamp said.
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