College Students Realise AI Upskilling Is Vital for Future Careers

At Vasavi Education Trust (VET) First Grade College, college students are realising that having artificial intelligence (AI) skills is not merely a matter of choice, but a must for their future careers, as brought out during a recent interaction.

Students of VET First Grade College on Thursday learned first hand how Artificial Intelligence can be used as a tool to make one more productive during a Times of India in Campus (TOIC) Partnership Talk at the school's JP Nagar campus. The session was led by Shankar G Rao, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Bosch India, who pointed out that AI is becoming more and more significant in all sectors.

Rao told students that they should have a good understanding of data and be able to analyze it since these are the skills that will be in demand in jobs where AI is used. He drew a diagram showing how AI, machine learning, and deep learning are related, thus explaining the basics of artificial intelligence. Consequently, the students could comprehend better how different technologies are integrated in real world scenarios.

Rao stressed the significance of people learning without getting in a certain time and referred to how AI is being used in various areas such as manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and services."The value you bring to the table is essentially a reflection of what AI enables you to do, rather than what you can do that AI cannot, " he told the students after he had pointed out AI as a partner tool to them and not a threat to their jobs.

He went on to encourage the students to take the initiative in gaining new skills so that they can remain relevant in the rapidly evolving digital world. He said that the future successful career individuals will be those who can adapt and solve the problems. "The factor that determines your value is not what you are capable of doing that AI cannot, but rather what AI enables you to do, " he said to the students, urging them to view AI as a tool partner instead of a threat to their jobs.

Moreover, he advised the pupils to take the initiative to gain new skills so that they can still be relevant in the rapidly changing digital world. He pointed out that the ones who will be successful in their careers in the future are those people who can adapt and solve problems.

The speaker and students had a lively discussion on various topics which was made possible by R Parvathi, Principal and Academic Advisor, VET First Grade College, through a moderated session. The participants raised issues related to career readiness, ethical usage of AI, and the key skills that employers are starting to value more and more in fresh graduates.

The conference showcased how crucial it is for the industry and academia to work hand in hand in preparing the students with the right skill set to stay relevant amidst technological changes. It also pointed out that colleges should integrate AI consciousness and skills acquisition into their main curriculum.