Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed Preparing Students for an AI-Infused Workforce
Nov 11, 2025
Join Jennifer Sparrow, NYU’s chief academic technology officer, Simon Koh, founder of Koh Labs, and Allison Salisbury, CEO of Humanist Venture Studio, as they delve into the AI-infused workforce. They discuss what it means to be an AI-ready graduate, highlighting essential skills like critical thinking and communication. The panel explores how AI is reshaping entry-level roles, calling for more experiential education to bridge skills gaps. They also ponder the future of liberal arts and the need for creativity across all disciplines, urging universities to evolve with these changes.
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Episode notes
What An AI-Ready Graduate Means
- An AI-ready graduate combines liberal-arts skills with technological adaptability and curiosity.
- They must know when to use AI and when human judgment is essential.
Employers Want AI Fluency And Pipeline Clarity
- Employers expect graduates to be fluent and conversational with AI tools, not just technically competent.
- The bigger worry is losing mid-career skill pipelines if entry-level roles disappear to automation.
From AI Consumer To Creator
- The big shift is from consuming AI to creating with it, granting learners agency to build things.
- Nontechnical capacities like creative confidence and ethical judgment matter as much as tool skill.