Jad Tarifi, founder of Google’s first AI team, advises against pursuing a Ph.D. in AI, suggesting that the field could become obsolete before completion. He believes that those interested in AI should focus on niche applications or rapidly evolving areas. Tarifi, who earned his Ph.D. in AI in 2012, emphasizes the importance of gaining practical experience over lengthy academic programs, which he describes as painful and outdated.
He argues that social skills and emotional intelligence are vital for thriving in the AI era, encouraging individuals to focus on personal growth and self-awareness rather than purely technical knowledge. Tarifi notes that mastering every detail of technology isn’t necessary; a basic understanding suffices.
Supporting Tarifi’s view, Paul Graham from Y Combinator highlights the decline of low-level programming jobs due to AI and advises pursuing passionate work that transcends basic tasks to remain relevant in evolving industries.
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