With massive increases in computing power and data storage, AI can perform some of the same tasks through the blunt forces of processing and analysis that higher ed has traditionally helped to hone in humans. “So a whole realm of activity that, until very recently, we thought was out of reach of these technologies turns out not to be,” Susskind said. “And it’s often concentrated in the world of white collar work.” The best response to this potential disruption is training and education, according to Susskind. This could mean focusing education on preparing students for tasks that can’t yet be automated or to outperform AI systems.
