Parents with teens mull college and job training in an AI future
Meet the school teachers who are embracing AI
The use of AI in education is sparking debate, with opinions divided on whether it should be embraced or avoided in classrooms.
Fox – 5 NY
Artificial intelligence is already transforming everything from the mundane, like how we search the internet, to profound endeavors such as scientific progress. So for parents considering how their children can grow up to thrive in the workforce, a future shaped by AI may seem overwhelming.
New insights from a company that specializes in online education and training solutions highlights some of those concerns. Penn Foster Group, a group of companies that includes Penn Foster High School, Penn Foster Career School, the New York Institute of Photography and others, surveyed over 500 parents of high school students in December to learn more about how Americans are thinking about this uncertain future.
Parents are rethinking what success after high school should look like, the survey revealed, as they question whether the educational paths that have served generations of Americans are right for their own children in an increasingly automated future.
“Parents recognize that the jobs their children will compete for may look very different from those of the past,” said Thais Lyro, Penn Foster’s chief product officer, in a release. “They are looking for education pathways that help students build durable, transferable skills that can evolve alongside technology.”
Among the important points revealed by the survey: 55% of parents say they feel anxious about whether their child is prepared for an AI-driven job market. And while 84% once assumed their child would pursue college, 37% say AI has changed that expectation. A whopping 89%, meanwhile, say their child can build a successful long-term career without a four-year degree.
With that in mind, it may not be surprising that parents are considering college alternatives. Half say they are encouraging technical and/or digital skills, and 22% are exploring apprenticeships or certificates. Some 41% say they prefer immediate entry into the workforce or an apprenticeship.
In remarks shared with USA TODAY, Penn Foster Group CEO Kermit Cook acknowledged parents’ anxiety.
AI is changing many aspects of work, Cook said, but “it is not replacing human judgment, problem-solving, and adaptability. Education that builds those skills, along with digital and technical capabilities, helps learners succeed in jobs with AI as a tool rather than a threat.”