Survey Reveals Students Attitudes Towards The Impact of AI & Automation

Embracing Change: The Imperative of Specialized Education

In response to the challenges posed by automation, a significant majority of students displayed a willingness to embrace change by considering additional education or training focused specifically on AI and automation. 

With 67% of respondents expressing interest in enhancing their job prospects through specialized training, it is evident that students recognize the need to equip themselves with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of an automated workforce.

But where can students look to acquire these skills?

Students can explore various avenues such as vocational schools with specialized programs, community colleges offering relevant courses, and partnerships between educational institutions and industry players providing tailored training programs. 

Online platforms like Unmudl are partnering with employers such as Amazon to design courses that offer this type of specialized training in the form of 10-week courses. Many of these programs are ideally suited for working learners, offering them the flexibility needed to take advantage of these courses.  

Peer Pressure vs. Personal Choice

The survey also delved into the influence of societal expectations on students' educational decisions, particularly concerning the dichotomy between traditional four-year colleges and alternative paths like trade schools. 

The findings reveal that a considerable portion of respondents (62.8%) felt pressure from parents or peers to pursue a four-year college education. 

This echoes the societal bias towards conventional educational pathways, potentially stifling alternative avenues better suited to individual aptitudes and aspirations. Often, it's not the student who requires persuasion that vocational trades are a viable option, but rather the parents who need reassurance.

As awareness grows among parents about the booming trends in technician jobs, which are often resilient to AI-driven job replacement, these roles are likely to be increasingly perceived as viable options, potentially leading to the breakdown of associated stigmas.

Value Proposition: Assessing the Cost of Education

Finally, the survey sought to gauge students' satisfaction with the overall value of their college education in light of recent trends in automation and AI. 

Despite not feeing that universities are adequately preparing them for the effects of automation, a majority of respondents expressed varying degrees of satisfaction with the overall value of their college education in relation to the cost. However, a notable proportion (about 30%) voiced dissatisfaction with the perceived value of their education relative to its cost. 

There are real difficulties in evaluating the value of education before entering the workforce, but this data shows that despite the limitations in being prepared for automation, students still feel like they are getting value from their education.

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