Marist University junior Bobby McDonald says majoring in cybersecurity excites him, and it’s an ever-evolving field. But his path differs from his peers of just a few years ago, as artificial intelligence may change the career landscape for students entering the workforce.
“I think students know more than anybody else how to interact with the AI and how to really maximize their own productivity,” he said.
Universities are looking to find more ways to incorporate AI in lessons. Many are trying to balance the potential need to be familiar with the technology as more fields adopt it with ensuring it’s used in ethical and responsible ways.
At Marist, they’re working alongside IBM to expand AI usage into fields beyond science and technology, using the latest innovations from IBM.
“Students in marketing and finance and students who are using it for polling purposes are really going to understand not only how the technology applies to their field, but when it can and should be used,” said Marist Associate Vice President of Special Projects and Innovation Diane Hart.”It’ll give them an advantage because it’s leveraging software that we use every day in industry right here as part of their academics.”
AI and career readiness is something the state has been focused on as well.
Earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the FutureWorks Commission which would look to ensure the workforce can meet continued AI adoption. The governor has also touted creating new programs at state schools so students, workers and small businesses can keep pace with AI development. The governor’s office recently announced that later this year, large AI developers would need to register with the state and meet strict requirements on safety.
Hart says the goal at Marist is to use AI so that it enhances the person using it and doesn’t replace them.
IBM’s chief product officer for the IBM z and LinuxONE, Tina Tarquinio, thinks the incoming workforce needs to be well-versed in artificial intelligence.
“We’re all going to have to incorporate AI into what we do, what we choose to do later,” she said. “I think the quicker you can accept that and start to incorporate it, and the best, of course, is hands-on learning, which is why I’m really excited about this partnership because it’s hands on learning.”
McDonald thinks the lessons he’s learning on AI are extremely important.
“Especially to learn so early on into your career, I think it will be just be ever more prevalent as we continue on,” he said.