Emotional Intelligence and Creativity Can't Be Emulated...
Make Your Choices Accordingly!
How are Career Choices Shaped in the Age of Artificial Intelligence?
In today's world, where artificial intelligence shapes future strategies, Prof. Dr. Yelkin Diker Coşkun offers guidance to students facing university decisions.
Everywhere we turn, AI is a topic of discussion. Companies no longer plan or make decisions without considering AI or software systems. Employment strategies are aligned with it, and future forecasts depend on AI. Students pondering their university choices often wonder, "What should I choose to ensure I can confidently navigate the future?" Prof. Dr. Yelkin Diker Coşkun, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Yeditepe University, shares insights on how career choices are evolving in the age of AI.
Nations Building Their AI Ecosystems
Prof. Dr. Coşkun points out the increasing use of AI across many sectors, noting, "AI can drive numerous positive changes in society, enhancing productivity, improving health services, and expanding educational access. It aids businesses in advancing, automating production processes, and providing valuable commercial insights. As AI usage grows in various sectors worldwide, countries are developing their own AI ecosystems to support existing professions and foster the growth of these systems. Japan and China are leaders in the global AI ecosystem, with similar developments underway in our country, transforming our job markets."
The Evolution of Job Roles for Blue and White Collar Workers
Prof. Dr. Coşkun explains that AI's impact on employment will differ from the Industrial Revolution's. Machines will no longer be just simple mechanical tools but will take on roles as 'workers' who can learn and think, thereby transforming labor dynamics. "AI can handle any job with a specific algorithm and is expected to increasingly take over tasks that require analytical thinking, thus transforming the roles traditionally held by skilled, white-collar professionals. As a result, both blue and white-collar job descriptions will undergo significant changes."
Transformation in Educational Programs
Emphasizing the inevitable transformation of educational systems, Coşkun states, "The entire educational pathway from kindergarten to university will transform to develop individuals equipped for these evolving roles. This transformation is crucial for anyone planning their career paths."
The Unmatched Capabilities of Human Emotional Intelligence and Creativity
Addressing future university students, Prof. Dr. Coşkun reassures that while today's professions will not vanish, they will transform rapidly. "Fields like finance, law, education, social sciences, and medicine are expected to evolve swiftly. If higher education programs can adapt their curricula to a lifelong learning philosophy focused on AI, they can cultivate graduates prepared for this global shift. While AI excels at performing routine tasks, it cannot yet replicate human emotional intelligence and creativity."
“Check the Currency of the University's Programs”
Coşkun advises checking the currency of university programs, explaining, “It is crucial to integrate and adapt programs to teach technical sub-specialties, such as engineering, and to foster social skills like communication and collaboration. Digital and green skills need to be embedded in education from secondary levels onwards, becoming a core component of university curricula. When choosing a university, candidates should critically assess whether the programs are innovative, whether they have adapted practical skills for compatibility with AI, and whether they provide opportunities to apply soft skills in the workplace.”