A godfather of AI shares the career advice he'd give to his 4-year-old grandson as AI displaces jobs

In a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, one of the field's leading figures has offered heartfelt career advice for future generations. Yoshua Bengio, a key architect in the development of AI, shared thoughts on how his four-year-old grandson can navigate a rapidly changing job landscape. In a recent episode of "The Diary of a CEO" podcast, hosted by Steven Bartlett, Bengio emphasized the importance of personal growth, stating, "Focus on becoming the beautiful human being you can be. That aspect of ourselves will endure even as machines take over many jobs." Bengio highlighted the urgency for companies to integrate AI into their operations, suggesting that it's only a matter of time before machines can perform most tasks currently done by humans at a keyboard. While he acknowledged that robotic advancements may eventually extend to physical roles, like plumbing, he noted that this transition might take longer. Despite the surge in technology, Bengio reassured listeners that human qualities—such as empathy, accountability, and the desire to enhance the well-being of others—will remain irreplaceable. He remarked, "If I'm in a hospital, I want a human to hold my hand during moments of anxiety or pain. The human touch is likely to gain more value as automation becomes commonplace." Bengio is celebrated alongside Geoffrey Hinton and Yann LeCun as one of the "godfathers of AI" due to his groundbreaking contributions to deep learning and neural networks. He serves as a professor at the Université de Montréal and recently established LawZero, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the risks associated with advanced AI systems, including issues like deception. As the conversation around AI's impact on employment continues, these pioneers are guiding individuals on how to adapt their careers. Hinton previously suggested that pursuing plumbing might be a wise choice, considering the longevity of such trades before AI encroaches. LeCun echoed this sentiment, advising aspiring computer scientists to focus on fundamental subjects such as mathematics and physics to build a solid foundation for a future in AI.