The American Industrial Revolution in 1790 changed everything. It provided new tools to complete tasks, but as a result eliminated many jobs. More than two centuries later, students are watching a similar shift unfold as generative artificial intelligence begins to reshape the workforce in unpredictable ways. For many high schoolers, AI is not some distant possibility. It already influences how they think about college majors, job security and skills they will need to succeed.
Many students say the real challenge lies in the classroom. While students are trying to keep up and explore new fields, some feel the curriculum hasn’t evolved fast enough to keep up with an AI driven future. Junior Sampath Alavilli says schools still have not caught up with the pace of change.
“I think the school’s doing a good job of introducing students to a bunch of different fields and interests,” Alavilli said. “But the school does not really prepare students for a changing job market or even applying [to jobs]. I’m not sure what they could do differently, but it’s still important [that action is taken].”
Alavilli also believes that image generators like ChatGPT, Gemini and others don’t substitute for human creativity.
“These generators haven’t changed how I feel about creative careers,” Alavilli said. “The image generators are able to create good quality art, but they still lack a human touch.”
Senior Sreekar Preddada plans to study biomedical engineering and sees AI as both a tool and a warning sign.
“While I don’t think that AI will automate my field as of right now, I do think within a few decades it could certainly lead to mass layoffs,” Preddada said. “Right now AI isn’t sophisticated enough and makes enough mistakes that they still need humans, but over years of development it could make humans near obsolete in the field.”
Preddada also believes that with how fast technology evolves, schools can not keep pace.
“AI can learn just as much on whatever subjects that we learn as well, so I think it might be impossible for schools to actually teach them to us,” Preddada said.
Still, he believes some tasks cannot be automated.
“Being able to land a job highly depends on interviews and how charismatic you are,” Preddada said. “Learning to be less anxious and more confident will be important, especially in the upcoming years.”
For younger students, he believes students should be careful when committing to a field.
“I wouldn’t focus all my effort on just one field that might not work out for me,” Preddada said. “If the field gets automated in the future, I’d be out of luck, whereas if I was qualified for another career, I’d have a backup option.”
Senior Peter Mendoza plans to study nursing and minor in music. He isn’t worried as much about AI replacing work that may require human empathy and touch.
“You still have to be pretty knowledgeable about how the body works and what can go wrong,” Mendoza said. “AI may know some of that information, but it can’t really give patients the care that they need. It can’t start IVs. It can’t give meds.”
AI might strengthen healthcare by helping with research and data analysis, but it might not replace the people who provide care.
“I don’t think it’ll replace jobs in the medical field,” Mendoza said. “But I feel like it can be used in collaboration. I’ve heard stories about people using AI to benefit research, like using it to look at scans.”
Mendoza also believes that schools should teach students how to use AI responsibly instead of banning it altogether.
“At first it’s good [to avoid using AI] just so you don’t become too reliant early on,” Mendoza said. “But later, you can start to learn how to use AI responsibly, not to write the essay yourself, but to make it quicker or find out something new.”
When it comes to planning their careers, Mendoza believes students shouldn’t be so stressed.
“Don’t worry too much about how AI is going to take over your job. Just do your research and pay attention to what you’re passionate about,” Mendoza said.
Just as the Industrial Revolution replaced human muscle with machines, today’s technological revolution challenges the limits of human thought. This time, the future of work may depend not on competing with machines, but on learning how to work alongside them.
