Rethinking College Degrees in the Age of AI

As AI becomes increasingly intelligent and knowledgeable, it may soon render college professors obsolete. AI chatbots are already more knowledgeable (at least in terms of breadth) and accessible than any human educators. College degrees and the institutions themselves will likely become obsolete too, at least at the undergraduate level.

In today’s world, most of what is taught in college can be learned independently. Currently, the main advantages of higher education are twofold: it offers a structured learning environment for those who struggle with self-motivation and serves as a certification that students have acquired the claimed knowledge. AI has the potential to assess learning outcomes far more accurately than standardized exams or evaluations by professors, who may have biases or limited expertise.

For example, AI could interact with each student individually, adjusting the difficulty of questions in real time based on their responses. It could bypass questions that are too simple and elevate the level of inquiry as needed. By asking open-ended questions that challenge students to think critically and creatively, AI could evaluate not only factual knowledge but also originality and cognitive flexibility. This personalized evaluation process need not occur simultaneously for all students; rather, it could be conducted over several days at a time that suits each student, ensuring a thorough and accurate assessment.

The reliance on standardized tests today primarily stems from a shortage of human resources capable of conducting such detailed interviews while maintaining objectivity. AI-driven assessments could democratize education by eliminating the need for prestigious college brands, thereby leveling the playing field. Continuous evaluation throughout one’s life would reduce the impact of biases related to race, gender, or age.

Although AI is prompting us to reconsider the very purpose of learning—given that we can now ask AI for almost any information when needed—if we assume that education will remain valuable and meaningful, AI’s role in personalizing and enhancing the learning process could be a significant positive contribution.