Ex-Google AI Leader Says Degrees Are Useless in a New AI Era

What’s good Praise family? Let’s talk about something on a lot of people’s minds, especially with how fast things are moving in this world. A former Google AI engineer, Jad Tarifi, is saying that getting a PhD in AI might not be worth it anymore. He’s calling degrees “useless,” and while that might sound crazy, let’s break down what he’s really saying.

Jad was on Google’s first generative AI team, so he knows what’s up. He says the technology is moving so incredibly fast that by the time you spend years earning a long-term degree like a PhD, the information you learned could already be outdated. He’s seeing all the real breakthroughs happening every day in labs and in the field, not just in university classrooms.

So what’s his advice? Instead of spending all that time and money on a traditional degree, he says the real move is to focus on getting hands-on experience. Jump into a niche area where AI is just starting to take off, like biology or some other science. He believes you’ll learn a lot more by actually doing the work and you’ll be able to adapt quicker to all the crazy changes happening. He says a PhD is really only for the “weird people” who are “truly obsessed with research,” not for someone just trying to get a solid career.

Now, why does this matter to us? Think about it. This whole idea of relying on a piece of paper is being challenged by a world that values skill and experience more than ever. It’s a powerful reminder that our real-world walk is what truly counts. Just like our faith isn’t about the title but about the daily walk and the work we put in, success in this new era is all about being adaptable and being a doer. It’s a powerful message that staying rooted in practical, relevant skills is what’s going to stand the test of time.