«Why bother with an education when AI will soon take over all the jobs?»

«Why don't you ask Sarah?»

I'm in Year 11 at an international school, out of a total of 12 school years. My parents are really putting the pressure on me to sort out an apprenticeship after I finish school. But I don't know yet what I want to do. Anyway, there won't be any jobs left soon if AI does everything. Why do young people still need an apprenticeship? I think we need to rethink this. I'd love to do something in social media, as an influencer or something like that. But my parents are completely old-fashioned about it. How can I make them understand that there's no way I'm going to be a cook, a nurse or anything like that?
Moana, 17

Dear Moana
I can see that you are a clever young woman who thinks a great deal about the way our world is changing. And you're not alone in this: more and more young people are following world affairs with great interest.

No matter how much technology changes things, there will always be jobs that cannot simply be replaced.

As you quite rightly point out, AI – that is , artificial intelligence – is on the rise , and is now present in almost every area of life. I must admit that I am not very well informed about the current state of AI, as it is not my area of expertise. Nevertheless, one thing is clear: AI does not stop at the classroom door, nor does it stop at the world of work. Virtually every pupil is familiar with and uses ChatGPT, Gemini or another similar service.

AI can answer your questions in a matter of seconds, no matter what they're about. And that's just the beginning. We can only guess at how many tasks will be carried out by robots and AI-powered computers in the future.

AI is transforming professions

Alongside all the benefits that this development is set to bring us humans, there are also consequences. One of these could be that certain sectors will ‚die out‘. It is anticipated, for example, that creative professions in the graphics and design sectors will hardly be carried out by humans at all. This is because computers simply work much faster and will generate even more ideas than a human ever could.

That's exactly what you're getting at when you claim there won't be any jobs left in the future. But things aren't moving that fast. No matter what changes technology enables us to make, there will always be professions and specialist fields that cannot simply be replaced. I don't know how quickly or how radically these changes will affect our lives. But I'm certain that human labour and AI-supported work will continue to coexist.

We need plenty of clever and innovative people who are interested in these innovations and have a technical understanding of them.

And besides: what on earth are you supposed to do all day long? «People need work» – that's an old saying. It means that people need some sort of activity to feel good. Just chilling out all the time – that might be a pipe dream. As soon as it becomes part of everyday life, it can get pretty boring. I compare it to the following example: I really love chocolate cake. But if I had to eat chocolate cake every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I'd soon get fed up with it.

Combining aspirations for the future with a solid education

Today's young people will come into contact with AI at some point in their careers, in one way or another, sooner or later. This means we need plenty of bright and innovative people who are interested in these innovations and have a sound technical understanding of them. So, rather than giving up on vocational training altogether, why not seize this opportunity and learn something that's directly related to these very topics?

Perhaps you could then combine what you've learnt with your ambition to become an influencer? For example, you can study Data Science & Artificial Intelligence at a university of applied sciences . That's certainly just one of many new degree programmes set to be introduced over the next few years.

I'm sure your parents want you to get a solid education so that you can eventually earn a living and be independent. What's more, you can build on this later by, for example, taking the vocational baccalaureate and then going on to study at a university of applied sciences, if that's still something you want to do. Or you could devote yourself entirely to your passion: being an influencer.

Why vocational training remains important

In Switzerland, there are a great many opportunities when it comes to education. However, those without a Matur or a vocational qualification often find it difficult to gain access to further and higher education programmes or to secure good and interesting jobs.

I would therefore advise you to remain just as alert to developments in our world. Keep your sights set on your goal. But at the same time, make sure you make the most of the coming years in terms of your education. That way, later on – whether with or without AI – all doors will remain open to you.