Skip to Main Content

Student Guide to Generative Artificial Intelligence

Learn to use generative AI (like ChatGPT) ethically and effectively

Create a Two-Part Career Plan for the Age of AI

No previous generation has encountered the challenges you face in preparing for a career. You must become proficient with AI while also developing your distinctly human capabilities. Dedicate your college years to gaining experience in both domains, mastering this twin set of superpowers.

1. Strengthen your human capabilities

 

As AI tools become more powerful, distinctly human capabilities become increasingly valuable. Use AI as a tool to supplement and amplify your essential human abilities.

  • Carefully plan your academic journey in college
  • Prepare yourself to succeed in a future of continual change
  • Use your AI skills in searching for jobs and internships

Skills you will need

Critical thinking: Analyzing complex situations; identifying bad assumptions, logical flaws and unreliable sources

Creativity and innovation: Generating novel ideas, solving problems in new ways, being comfortable with ambiguity, constructively challenging conventional wisdom

Emotional intelligence: Building empathy and strong listening skills, mastering conflict resolution and negotiation, reading social dynamics, building intercultural competence, developing resilience and emotional self-regulation

Ethical judgment: Recognizing moral complexity, advocating for ethical considerations, setting personal ethical principles and boundaries

Strategic thinking: Seeing beyond immediate problems to broader implications, identifying emerging opportunities and threats, planning for scenarios and risks

Leadership and collaboration: Motivating a team, delegating and overseeing tasks, giving and receiving constructive feedback, building consensus and managing conflict

How to develop these skills

  • Cultivate mentors who can guide your development
  • Take classes or seminars focused on your personal and professional growth and development
  • Seek leadership roles in student and professional organizations
  • Join group, research and community projects
  • Make internships a priority in your education
     
2. Become AI literate

 

Findings from the 2025 World Economic Forum “Future of Jobs Report”:

  • 87% of employers say AI and big data skills are becoming more important
  • 86% of employers expect AI and related technologies will drive business transformation in the next five years
  • 69% of employers plan to recruit talent skilled in AI tool design and enhancement
  • 62% of employers anticipate focusing on hiring individuals with skills to work with AI

Skills you will need:

Fundamental AI skills: Writing effective prompts, fact-checking AI output, combining outputs from multiple AI tools, writing and editing with AI, working ethically with AI

Technical understanding: Basic knowledge of how different types of AI work, understanding AI limitations and biases

Professional AI applications: Using AI tools specific to your field; information research, data analysis and visualization

AI integration: Creating workflows and documentation that combine AI and human input, protocols for quality control of AI output, keeping AI secure and guarding data privacy

How to develop these skills

  • Take courses focused on AI tools and applications
  • Get to know professors and mentors who can share what they know about AI
  • Complete AI certification programs
  • Build a portfolio of AI-assisted projects
  • Join AI professional organizations and student AI groups