Ex-Google exec to students: Remember, AI itself is going to be gone by ...

AI is the future and its important to adapt to the same. Over the last few months CEOs of both big and small technology and non-technology companies have a message for students to brace for AI.

Other than the biggest fear of replacing jobs, the technology is set to change the way we work. Weighing on the topic in a conversation with Business Insider, Google's former employee Jad Tarifi told students to guard against the AI hype. In the current cutthroat race for AI talent, tech giants like Facebook-parent Meta are offering bonuses worth hundreds of millions to attract top talent. However, Jad Tarifi, an early member of Google's first generative AI team, Google’s first generative AI team, advises against chasing the AI boom through lengthy doctoral programs.

“AI itself is going to be gone by the time you finish a PhD,” Tarifi told Business Insider.

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“Even things like applying AI to robotics will be solved by then. So either get into something niche like AI for biology, which is still in its very early stages, or just don’t get into anything at all.” Tarifi, 42, who earned his Ph.D. in AI from the University of Florida in 2012, joined Google that same year and spent nearly a decade with the company before founding his AI startup, Integral AI, in 2021.

He described doctoral studies as an “ordeal” suited only for those deeply passionate about their field, noting that it demands “five years of your life and a lot of pain.

”“I don’t think anyone should ever do a Ph.D. unless they are obsessed with the field,” Tarifi said. He added that with today’s rapid technological advancements, real-world experience often trumps academic pursuits. “If you are unsure, you should definitely default to ‘no,’ and focus on just living in the world.

You’ll move much faster. You’ll learn a lot more. You’ll be more adaptive to how things are changed.”Tarifi also emphasized the importance of soft skills in the AI era, particularly emotional intelligence and empathy. He believes that while technical skills can be learned, excelling in AI applications, such as effective prompting, requires “emotional attunement” and “good taste.” “The best thing to work on is more internal,” Tarifi advised. “Meditate. Socialize with your friends. Get to know yourself emotionally.

”His insights challenge the rush to capitalize on AI’s popularity, urging aspiring professionals to focus on niche domains or personal growth to stay competitive in a fast-evolving industry.