When Jad Tarifi, the founder of Google’s first generative AI team, speaks, people listen. And his latest warning is making waves: don’t bother with long, grueling degrees like law or medicine. At least, not yet.
The AI Revolution is Moving Fast
Tarifi’s argument is simple: by the time you finish a Ph.D. or a medical degree, the AI landscape will have changed so drastically that your skills will be outdated. “AI itself is going to be gone by the time you finish a Ph.D.,” he said in a recent interview.
This isn’t just about being ahead of the curve; it’s about not getting left behind. The pace of AI disruption is so rapid that even things like applying AI to robotics will be solved by the time you finish your degree.
The Opportunity Cost of Long Degrees
Tarifi isn’t just warning against the practicality of these degrees; he’s also highlighting the personal cost. Pursuing a Ph.D. or a medical degree means giving up years of your life, and a lot of pain. “I don’t think anyone should ever do a Ph.D. unless they are obsessed with the field,” he said.
Focus on Living in the World Instead
So what’s the alternative? Tarifi urges people to skip academia and engage more with the world around them. “If you are unsure, you should definitely default to ‘no,’ and focus on just living in the world,” he said. “You will move much faster. You’ll learn a lot more. You’ll be more adaptive to how things are changed.”
Is This the End of Traditional Education?
Tarifi’s warning raises bigger questions about the future of traditional education. Are long, expensive degrees still worth it in the age of AI? Or are we entering a new era where continuous learning and adaptation are more valuable than a piece of paper?
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!