Demis Hassabis Urges College Students to Embrace AI as Disruption Looms
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind and a leading figure in artificial intelligence, is urging the next generation to prepare for a future shaped by rapid technological change. Speaking at the recent Google I/O developer conference, Hassabis predicted that artificial general intelligence (AGI) could arrive within the next decade and emphasized the critical importance of understanding AI tools.
“Learn to Learn”: The New Survival Skill
Hassabis advised college students to immerse themselves in emerging technologies like AI, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and quantum computing. “Whatever happens with these AI tools, you’ll be better off understanding how they work and what you can do with them,” he told the audience, stressing the need to “learn to learn” as the most valuable skill in a volatile job market.
In a March discussion at the University of Cambridge—his alma mater—Hassabis echoed this sentiment, urging students to identify how they absorb knowledge best and to become rapid learners in a dynamic landscape. “The world you’re entering will face an incredible amount of disruption and change,” he told students during a conversation with Professor Alastair Beresford at Queens’ College.
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A Future of Disrupted Jobs—and New Opportunities
Appearing on the Hard Fork podcast with hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton, Hassabis acknowledged that major technological shifts often eliminate certain jobs. However, he was optimistic: “Anytime there is change, there is also a huge opportunity.” He believes that while some roles will disappear, new and often more fulfilling ones will take their place, especially in fields driven by innovation.
DeepMind’s Vision for the Next Decade
As head of Google’s AI division—including the Gemini chatbot project—Hassabis plays a central role in shaping the future of intelligent systems. With a Nobel Prize under his belt for AI innovation, his message to students is clear: adaptability and tech fluency are no longer optional—they’re foundational for thriving in the AI age.
