Why a godfather of AI still thinks his 4-year-old grandson should go to college

The relevance of a college education amidst the rise of artificial intelligence has been a hot topic of discussion. Renowned AI researcher Yoshua Bengio, a key figure in the development of deep learning, firmly believes in the importance of higher education. In a recent appearance on the "Silicon Valley Girl" podcast, host Marina Mogilko posed a thought-provoking question: Would he encourage his four-year-old grandson to pursue a college education? Bengio's response was a decisive "yes." He emphasized that education transcends merely preparing for a career. "Education is really important, and contrary to what some people think, it isn’t just about acquiring the skills to get a job. It’s about becoming a better human being, understanding oneself, and grasping our society and each other," he stated. This perspective fuels ongoing debates regarding the future of traditional education in a landscape where AI technologies are rapidly evolving and even outperforming humans in various cognitive tasks. Fellow AI expert Geoffrey Hinton previously expressed concerns on a different podcast, suggesting that the increasing capabilities of AI might complicate job prospects for college graduates, even recommending vocational paths like plumbing as viable options. Adding to the conversation, Stanford professor Fei-Fei Li, often referred to as the "Godmother of AI," remarked in December that her hiring criteria for her AI startup prioritize practical skills over academic degrees. Bengio reiterated his previous sentiments from a December podcast, underlining that his guidance for his grandson in today's world centers on the importance of nurturing one's humanity. He asserted, "I believe that aspect of ourselves will endure, even if machines can take on most jobs."