Nikhil Kamath's ‘lifelong learning' advice is only step one: Stanford expert shares the key skills needed to survive the AI takeover

Time of India

27-06-2025

As the dust of industrial-age careers begins to settle, a new reality is emerging—one shaped by
artificial intelligence
, dynamic ecosystems, and a relentless pace of change.
Zerodha
co-founder
Nikhil Kamath
recently lit a spark with a provocative statement: 'The days of four-year college courses are over.
Lifelong learning
is the new norm—for everyone.' But according to
Stanford
expert
Robert E. Siegel
, as reported by
CNBC Make It
, that's merely step one in preparing for the storm AI is bringing to the workforce.
Drawing from the
World Economic Forum's
Future of Jobs
Report 2025
, Kamath's post quickly gained traction online, highlighting the rise of automation, the decline of traditional jobs, and the urgent need for
reskilling
. The numbers are stark: by 2030, 92 million jobs are expected to disappear—even as 170 million new ones are created. Yet Kamath warns: only the adaptable will benefit. You can't rely on what you learned a decade ago, he cautions.
But what does adaptability actually look like? Siegel, a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and author of
The Systems Leader
, believes the answer lies in five deeply human habits. After studying over 400 global leaders, he offers a more nuanced blueprint to not just survive—but lead—in the AI age.
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Lifelong Learning Is the Entry Point, Not the Destination
Kamath's call to end our overreliance on outdated degrees resonates with Siegel's first principle: the best performers actively seek new knowledge beyond formal education. They don't shy away from emerging technologies like AI—they engage with them, even if it's uncomfortable. Siegel stresses the need to break out of intellectual echo chambers and connect with diverse peers, especially younger, tech-savvy professionals who often act as a compass for what's next.
— nikhilkamathcio (@nikhilkamathcio)
Pair Iron with Empathy
If machines dominate logic, humans must dominate emotional intelligence. One standout leader from Siegel's research, Kathy Mazzarella of Graybar, demonstrates this balance. She is described as leading with an 'iron fist in a soft glove.' Mazzarella starts tough conversations with empathy—proving that accountability and kindness aren't mutually exclusive. In a world where AI can do tasks but not feel,
emotional intelligence
becomes a powerful career differentiator.
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Think Like an Ecosystem
As Kamath calls for reinvention, Siegel urges professionals to expand their lens. The most resilient people, he says, understand their place in broader systems. Seth Bodnar, President of the University of Montana, exemplifies this by managing diverse stakeholder interests—from alumni and administrators to city officials and employers. Recognizing these interdependencies not only prevents conflict but also breeds innovation.
Siegel advises organizations to visualize their operational ecosystems through influence maps—tools that help identify who depends on whom, and where power and pressure points lie. In an AI-driven world, where silos are crumbling, systemic thinking is essential.
Relationships Trump Algorithms
While technology automates processes, it cannot replicate the depth of human relationships. Siegel believes those who foster strong internal and external networks gain sharper insights and more resilient support systems. Whether it's a frontline employee offering operational wisdom or a peer outside your industry identifying blind spots, the relational edge is invaluable.
Kamath, too, alludes to this when he suggests that trust and meaning will remain irreplaceable—even as machines become more intelligent. In workplaces increasingly ruled by data, it is human connection that will offer the most unexpected leverage.
iStock
While technology automates processes, it cannot replicate the depth of human relationships. (Image: iStock)
Fall Out of Love with the Status Quo
In 2021, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry shared a piercing insight in Siegel's class: 'You can't fall in love with how you do business today.' That statement underlines Siegel's final rule—embrace change before it's forced upon you. Comfort with constant evolution is the hallmark of those who thrive. AI disruption is not a future possibility; it is a current condition.
Siegel believes that fear of change is a bigger threat than change itself. Professionals must not only tolerate transformation—they must lead it.
Beyond the Degree: A New Learning Ethic
While Kamath's remarks about the redundancy of four-year college courses sparked debate, they also tapped into a growing awareness: formal education no longer guarantees job security. WEF estimates show that 39% of current core skills will be obsolete by decade's end. Even as companies pledge to retrain workers, 11% of employees are expected to miss out on reskilling altogether.
The bigger message, echoed by both Kamath and Siegel, is that survival in the AI age demands more than credentials. It requires mindset shifts, systems thinking, and emotional nuance.
The Human Advantage
The AI age is not a battle between humans and machines—it's a test of how humans evolve alongside them. While machines take over tasks, it is values, adaptability, and human connection that will determine who stays relevant.
Kamath's call for lifelong learning is no doubt critical—but, as Siegel's research shows, it is only the tip of the iceberg. The future belongs to those who not only learn but listen, adapt, empathize, connect, and lead.
In the age of AI, being irreplaceably human might just be your greatest advantage.