AI-era job market pushing Gujarat students towards humanities

Ahmedabad: Humanities courses, particularly psychology, are witnessing a sharp rise in demand in the post-Covid era, with academicians attributing the trend to shifting job market realities, growing mental health awareness, and the limitations of narrow technical expertise in an AI-driven economy.

Prof Kamayani Mathur, former head of the psychology department at Gujarat University, said, “Alongside the growing need for soft skills nurtured by the humanities, we are also witnessing a surge in addictions and societal issues that this discipline is equipped to address,” she said.Neelanjan Sircar, associate professor, School of Arts and Sciences at Ahmedabad University (AU), said with the rise of artificial intelligence, technical degrees no longer offer the advantages in the job market they once did.

“Employers today are searching for individuals who can question critically, communicate stories to clients, and build ideas around data. Humanities graduates are well-suited to meet these demands,” he said.Prof Harmik Vaishnav, associate professor at SLS, PDEU, pointed out that the appeal of humanities extends well beyond Class 12 Arts students. “Applications are increasing annually, and the driving force behind this surge is the wide spectrum of career opportunities and pathways the humanities now open up,” he said.

“Today’s relentless pace of technological innovations has brought new career opportunities while casting a shadow of uncertainty over traditional jobs. Gone are the days when even a narrow skill set in one technical subject could give you a long and stable career,” said Prof Mona Mehta, associate dean (Arts), School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University. She added, “The new reality demands versatile skills such as the ability to ask critical questions, draw meaningful connections across diverse domains, and creatively interpret fresh information.

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