Teens Should Embrace AI Tools to Stay Ahead, Says Google DeepMind CEO
According to Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, teens should start learning AI tools now or risk falling behind in the future. Just as past generations grew up with the internet and smartphones, Hassabis believes generative AI will be the defining technology for Generation Alpha, and they should dive into it now to stay ahead.
Speaking on the “Hard Fork” podcast, Hassabis highlighted that new technologies often disrupt existing jobs, but also create new, exciting, and often more valuable career opportunities. “In the next 5 to 10 years, we’ll see a lot of jobs shift due to AI, but many new and more interesting ones will also emerge,” he explained.
The release of ChatGPT in 2022 marked the beginning of the generative AI boom, with tools like it rapidly advancing and reshaping industries. Hassabis, who leads Google DeepMind’s efforts to develop Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—AI that thinks and reasons like humans—believes that AGI could be less than 10 years away.
Hassabis stressed the importance of young people understanding how AI works, advising them to “immerse yourself now” and “become a ninja with the latest tools.” He encouraged teens to focus on learning how to learn and mastering new skills, much like he advised students at the University of Cambridge.
Other tech leaders, like Microsoft’s AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, also encourage teens to engage with AI, understand its limitations, and play around with the technology. In response to the growing demand for AI knowledge, universities like Rice University are even offering specialized AI degrees.
While AI skills are crucial, Hassabis still recommends that teens build strong foundational STEM skills, including coding and problem-solving. “Creativity, adaptability, and resilience are the meta-skills that will define success in the AI-driven future,” he said.
In short, teens who equip themselves with both AI tools and core STEM abilities will be best positioned for the future job market shaped by AI.