
Skills in an AI-first world: Preparing students for the future
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes industries, economies, and everyday life, students entering this evolving world must be equipped with a new set of skills to thrive. In an AI-first world, success won't depend solely on mastering technical tools, but on combining human strengths with digital fluency to navigate change, solve problems creatively, and add unique value that machines can't replicate.
1. Digital and Data Literacy
Understanding how AI systems work, how data is collected, and how algorithms make decisions is essential. Students need to develop digital literacy—not just in using technology, but in critically evaluating it. Basic coding, familiarity with data science, and understanding ethical implications of AI will empower students to be informed users, creators, and critics of AI-driven solutions.
2. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
As AI takes over repetitive tasks, human judgment and reasoning will become even more valuable. Students must learn to ask the right questions, assess information for accuracy and bias, and develop solutions based on logic and evidence. Real-world problem-solving, particularly in uncertain or complex environments, is a skill that machines can assist with, but not replace.
3. Creativity and Innovation
While AI can generate ideas and content, it lacks emotional depth and context. Students who nurture creativity—through design thinking, storytelling, or entrepreneurial ventures—will lead innovation.
In a world where machines can replicate patterns, originality becomes a distinct human advantage.
4. Emotional Intelligence and Collaboration
The future belongs to those who can work well with others. Emotional intelligence—empathy, communication, adaptability, and resilience—will be critical as workplaces become more diverse, remote, and dynamic. Students who can lead, collaborate, and build trust across cultures and technologies will stand out.
5. Lifelong Learning Mindset
AI is evolving fast, and the jobs of tomorrow may not yet exist. Students must embrace continuous learning—upskilling and reskilling throughout their lives. This includes self-motivation, curiosity, and the ability to unlearn outdated methods while staying agile in the face of change. In conclusion, an AI-first world demands a holistic approach to education—one that combines technical proficiency with deep human skills. Empowering students with these future-ready capabilities will not only prepare them for the job market but also help them become responsible, adaptive, and innovative global citizens.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Massive write-off: Nvidia dumps $4.5 billion in chips, leaving Jensen Huang frustrated
Nvidia may be leading the AI revolution, but even the world's top chipmaker isn't immune to the unpredictable fallout of global politics. Last week, as the company reported another strong earnings report, CEO Jensen Huang revealed the sobering news of a $4.5 billion write-off for chips that were supposed to be sent to China and now have nowhere to go, as per a report. Huang said during the earnings call that, 'We are taking a multibillion dollar write off on inventory that cannot be sold or repurposed,' quoted Fortune. The China-Only Chips That Can't Be Used The chips, which have led to the massive loss, known as the H20 chips , were designed by Nvidia specifically for Chinese clients to meet earlier US export restrictions, according to the report. These chips weren't top-of-the-line, but they were still advanced enough for AI development and, also legal to ship under the Biden administration's rules, as per Fortune. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo But things changed after US president Donald Trump took office, as he went a step further in early April and banned exports of even these chips, according to the report. ALSO READ: After losses in FTX, which went bankrupt in 2022, Temasek slashes early-stage startup investments by 88% Live Events Why the Nvidia H20 Chips Can't Just Be Repurposed As the H20 chip was built only for the Chinese market, the chip's design and limited capabilities make it a challenging task to be used by other countries, reported Fortune. A professor of supply chain management at Rutgers Business School, Arash Azadegan said, 'It doesn't really fit anywhere else without a lot of expensive tweaking,' as quoted in the report. While, the tweaking would involve additional costs for the AI chipmaker, as these chips may 'not meet the performance needs of customers in other regions' or may be engineered 'specific to Chinese customer requests or requirements,' according to Chad Autry, a University of Tennessee supply chain professor, reported Fortune. Nvidia Won't Risk Its Reputation Azadegan also highlighted that, 'Nvidia probably doesn't want to flood the market with discounted chips—it could mess with their pricing, confuse customers, and distract from their big push into the newer Blackwell lineup ,' as quoted in the report. FAQs Why did Nvidia have to throw away $4.5 billion in chips? Because new US export rules suddenly banned the chips from being sold to China, their only intended market. Can't they just sell the chips to other countries? No as the chips were custom-made for China and don't meet other countries' needs without costly changes.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Dream job no more? AI is coming for Wall Street's entry-level Junior Analyst roles, and experts say it's just the start
Wall Street's entry-level junior analyst jobs are now at risk because of Artificial Intelligence. Big finance firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are considering cutting hiring by up to two-thirds due to AI taking over tasks, as per the reports. These firms didn't respond when asked about it. Junior analysts usually work 80 to 100 hours per week, doing repetitive work like updating charts and valuation tables. Many junior bankers are complaining that even with AI, they still have to do the same boring tasks, as per the Fortune report. According to the Bloomberg report, Recruiter Jeanne Branthover said working as a junior analyst is like being a pledge in a frat, you have to suffer to rise. Still, these jobs are very popular because of the high salary and great career growth. The work mostly involves researching financial data, trends, and risks, but most of the time it's just grunt work. LinkedIn's Aneesh Raman said AI is 'breaking' entry-level jobs that Gen Z wants. He also said the AI impact will soon hit fields like finance, travel, food, and professional services, as per the New York Times reports. Michael Ashley Schulman said AI is already being used in finance to answer risk, financial, and legal questions. Christoph Rabenseifner from Deutsche Bank said, 'You can just replace juniors with an AI tool,' but humans still need to make final decisions. Live Events Schulman also said AI won't completely wipe out these jobs, but fewer people will be needed. Future junior analysts may become data checkers instead of data gatherers, double-checking AI's work and exploring deeper insights. He also said future Wall Street workers will look more like computer science, data, or statistics majors, though creativity and business sense will still be important. Tim Bates, a professor at the University of Michigan and ex-CTO of Lenovo and GM, said AI will not replace jobs fully but will change what those jobs involve. Bates advised students to learn AI tools, data analysis, and client strategy skills to stay useful. He said Wall Street jobs will become harder to get, and students should also look at fintech, consulting, or corporate strategy roles, as stated in the Fortune report. Michelle Enjoli, a career coach and TED speaker, said AI models still have risks, so companies will be careful before replacing humans. She thinks AI will be used more as a support tool, not a full replacement, at least for now. Enjoli said students and workers must stay updated on how AI affects their industry to remain valuable. She called AI an unavoidable disruptor and said people should adjust and learn how to work with it, as per the Fortune report. FAQs Q1. Will AI take all Wall Street analyst jobs? No, AI will reduce some jobs but people are still needed for important decisions. Q2. What should students do if they want a finance job? Learn AI tools, data skills, and keep up with how jobs are changing.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Microsoft is offering European governments this service for free
Microsoft is offering a free cybersecurity program to European governments to enhance their defences against cyber threats. The program, which was launched recently, includes safety against cyberattacks that are amplified by artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative comes after a recent increase in cyberattacks across Europe, many of which have been linked to state-sponsored actors from countries such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The program's objective is to boost intelligence-sharing specifically concerning AI-based threats. It also aims to help these countries with the prevention and disruption of these attacks. In an interview with the news agency Reuters, Microsoft President Brad Smith revealed how the company is planning to offer its services to these European governments to safeguard against cyberattacks. What Microsoft President Brad Smith said about this cybersecurity project In the Reuters interview, Smith said: 'If we can bring more to Europe of what we have developed in the United States, that will strengthen cybersecurity protection for more European institutions. You're going to see other things we are doing later in the month.' He noted that attackers are increasingly using generative AI to expand the scale and impact of their operations, from disrupting critical infrastructure to spreading disinformation. However, Smith added that while AI has been weaponised by malicious actors, it also offers valuable defensive capabilities. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 'We don't feel that we have seen AI that has evaded our ability to detect the use of AI or the threats more broadly. Our goal needs to be to keep AI advancing as a defensive tool faster than it advances as an offensive weapon,' he highlighted. Smith continued, saying audio has, so far, been easier to fake than video. He also confirmed that Microsoft monitors the use of its AI models for any malicious activity and restricts access to known cybercriminals. Notable examples of AI-driven deepfakes include a 2022 video falsely showing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy surrendering to Russia, and a fake audio clip in 2023 that influenced the Slovakian election. Stay ready with these 7 essential medical gadgets as COVID cases rise AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now