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Newsweek
31-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Half of Students Say AI Is Most Important Skill They'll Learn in College
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Half of students pursuing higher education in the United States said that mastering artificial intelligence (AI) is the most important skill they expect to acquire during their college years, according to a new Grammarly survey. The survey of 2,000 students enrolled in degree programs in U.S. colleges highlighted the rapid adoption of AI technology on campuses and its perceived necessity for future success. Why It Matters AI has quickly shifted from a theoretical concept to a foundational aspect of education and workforce readiness. The trend comes amid debate among educators and policymakers over how best to integrate AI into academic environments. Advocates for AI education argue that such skills are vital for navigating an increasingly automated world, while critics point to challenges like academic honesty, privacy and the need to balance digital tools with human interaction. Students cheer during the 374th Harvard Commencement in Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 29, 2025. Students cheer during the 374th Harvard Commencement in Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 29, 2025. RICK FRIEDMAN/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Roughly 62 percent of students see responsible AI use as essential for their future careers, according to the Grammarly report, indicating that AI literacy is emerging as a core component of higher education's value proposition. Nearly three-quarters of respondents reported that their schools have established AI usage policies, reflecting how students and institutions are adapting to new realities brought about by rapid technological change. The survey, which was conducted by Grammarly and Talker Research based on responses from 2,000 college students from July 1-9, showed that the vast majority of college students are already using AI in their academic lives. While 87 percent of participants said they already use AI for academic purposes, averaging five hours per week, 90 percent use AI tools for non-academic life activities. "Most products like ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini have a free offering and low barriers to use, encouraging exploration," Darren Kimura, CEO of AI Squared, told Newsweek. "Additionally, the capability that AI can produce today like coding tasks, writing or collaboration, align closely with the work of mid‑wage technical and creative professionals, increasing its use in the workplace." Despite widespread AI usage, 55 percent of students reported feeling they navigate AI without sufficient guidance. Nearly half (46 percent) expressed concern about possible repercussions for improper use, with 10 percent indicating they had experienced issues related to AI use at school. Students used AI for a variety of academic needs, including brainstorming ideas (49 percent), grammar and spelling checks (42 percent) and understanding difficult concepts (41 percent). Others leveraged AI for tasks they might be embarrassed to discuss in person (29 percent) or for life advice (25 percent). Institutional responses to AI use varied widely. Of schools with policies in place, 30 percent permitted AI use for specified assignments, 31 percent allowed general use with proper citation, and 32 percent banned AI outright. Despite the rules and 69 percent of students saying professors discussed them, only 11 percent of students reported being encouraged to use AI in their studies. A different 2024 Global AI Student Survey by the Digital Education Council found that 86 percent of international university students use AI in their studies, with ChatGPT, Grammarly and Microsoft Copilot listed among the most frequently used tools. However, workforce experts caution against AI misuse for the next generation of workers. "AI can be a powerful tool, a supplement to the existing workforce. But only if it's paired with human judgment, ethics and a worker-focused lens," HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek. "The real skill isn't just AI anywhere and everywhere. It's knowing when AI isn't the right fit." What People Are Saying Darren Kimura, CEO of AI Squared, told Newsweek: "AI today is really about task augmentation but not full automation, meaning that it increases the productivity of humans without yet removing them from the equation." HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: "AI is changing lots of things and helping put some things in perspective. It's also changing the workplace faster than colleges can keep up. But the danger is treating AI like a magic bullet. If we keep funneling students into tech skills without teaching them how to think critically, collaborate and advocate for themselves in a workforce increasingly run by algorithms, we're setting them up to be overworked, replaceable and underpaid." What Happens Next As AI continues to proliferate across campuses, academic institutions face pressure to formalize guidance, enhance faculty and student training, and update curricula to reflect the technology's evolving role. "There will likely be a major workforce reskilling as AI will replace entry level jobs. I predict a boon for community colleges and universities as workers look to reskill," Kimura said. "Managers must learn how to manage AI workers as they once used to have to manage human workers."
Newsweek
14-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Most College Grads Don't Think Degree Will Help Them Land a Job This Year
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new survey has shown a majority of college graduates do not have any confidence that their college degree will help them land their next job. In a TopResume survey of 1,000 college students graduating this year, 52 percent said they don't think their degree will help land them a job in the next 12 months. Why It Matters Roughly 2 million college students graduated this year but the larger job market and economy has shown signs of cooling. The unemployment rate for new graduates is estimated at 6.6 percent in 2025, according to TopResume. Harvard graduate students applaud during the 374th Harvard Commencement in Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 29, 2025. Harvard graduate students applaud during the 374th Harvard Commencement in Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 29, 2025. RICK FRIEDMAN/AFP via Getty Images What To Know While 52 percent of new graduates don't think their degree will land them a job in the next 12 months, an even higher percentage, 56 percent, said they don't feel equipped to navigate the current job market. The responses from employers after submitting a job application may play a role in this sentiment, as roughly one in three of these grads said they receive fewer than two responses when they apply to more than 20 roles. "Entry-level jobs are getting automated, and the bar to get hired is rising. People are going to need either real-world experience or more specialized education—grad school, certifications, or training in in-demand fields like defense, manufacturing, automation, or finance," Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek. "You have to follow where the economy is headed. The job market rewards people who get hands-on experience early, whether through internships, apprenticeships, or industry-specific programs." Part of the issue could also be in when graduates are applying for jobs, as 24 percent said they wait until after graduation to begin their job search, potentially lowering their job prospects. There was some variation in how graduates said they felt depending on what sort of degree they were graduating with. Master's degree holders said they had the skills and confidence needed to enter the workforce roughly 65 percent of the time, while Bachelor's degree graduates only said this around 44 percent of the time. Roughly 59 percent of doctoral degree holders said the same. The concerns graduates have about their college degree not actually helping them access the job of their dreams are not unfounded, as a report from Burning Glass Institute last year discovered 52 percent of college graduates work in jobs that don't require a degree at all, like retail, food service or administrative support. What People Are Saying Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "The job market is shifting fast, and a lot of graduates are nervous about what AI will mean for their future. The truth is that many people end up working in fields that aren't directly tied to their major. A degree can still open doors as it shows employers you can finish something, that you're trainable, but it doesn't always guarantee you'll land a job in your specific area of study. This is the disconnect that many are now reacting to." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "With many employers facing an uncertain financial outlook in the year ahead, jobs, especially those that are usually targeted by recent college graduates, have become more scarce, and those applying are feeling the pressure." "There are always mixed emotions about a graduate's degree choice when they enter the job market and can't immediately find placement, but it's important to note the financial environment now is vastly different than it has been in past years. It's not the time for regret for recent graduates, but rather to pivot some of their skill set to accommodate easier-to-fill openings." What Happens Next Data suggests recent college graduates could regularly wait several months to find a job post-graduation, especially if they are looking for specific roles in their field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found it takes job seekers an average of 20.6 weeks to find a job. Due to these trends, Thompson said colleges could face enrollment issues. "We'll likely see lower enrollment as more students opt for on-the-job training or take offers from companies willing to help pay off loans," Thompson said. "That's the new trade-off—four years in school versus hitting the ground running with less debt."
Newsweek
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
DOJ Says Harvard Committed 'Violent' Civil Rights Violation
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Harvard University committed "violent violations" of U.S. civil rights and is "among the most prominent and visible breeding ground for race discrimination," according to a new letter sent Monday to the higher education institution by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ), alongside a federal interagency task force. Why It Matters The agency findings against Harvard by the joint task force could carry major implications for both federal oversight of higher education and institutional accountability, in addition to federal funding. President Donald Trump and his administration has taken aim at the prestigious university, including earlier this month signing a proclamation blocking nearly all foreign students from entering the United States to attend the Ivy League institution. Graduates gather as they attend commencement ceremony at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 29, 2025. Graduates gather as they attend commencement ceremony at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 29, 2025. RICK FRIEDMAN/AFP via Getty Images What To Know The letter, delivered jointly to Harvard President Alan Garber, states that the task force has found that the university engaged in a "violent violation" of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act due to what officials called deliberate indifference and, at times, willful participation in antisemitic harassment targeting Jewish students, faculty, and staff on campus. Federal investigators stated that unless Harvard implements significant changes immediately, the Ivy League school risks losing all federal financial privileges, potentially jeopardizing its access to research grants and other U.S. government resources. The probe, led by the HHS Office for Civil Rights, concluded that the university's response to antisemitic incidents constituted both neglect and active complicity, violating statutory protections against discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Citing the Supreme Court's opinion in Students for Fair Admission v. Harvard (2023), federal officials alleged that Harvard remains "among the most prominent and visible breeding grounds for race discrimination." The investigation concluded that Harvard's failure to adequately protect Jewish students reflects broader, systemic issues within the institution. The HHS notice warned that continued federal funding for Harvard may violate U.S. law unless the university addresses these issues decisively. The joint letter argued, "Any institution that refuses to meet its duties under federal law may not receive a wide range of federal privileges," underscoring the possibility that Harvard—if found noncompliant—could lose critical federal funding and grants. Officials said that the situation at Harvard represents not simply a failure to address specific incidents, but a structural climate that has allowed antisemitism to persist, prompting government intervention to uphold civil rights standards. The letter was signed by senior officials from DOJ, the General Services Administration, HHS, and the Department of Education. Harvard's Response Harvard University, in a statement provided to Newsweek following the issuance of the letter, called the institution "far from indifferent on this issue" of antisemitism and "strongly disagrees with the government's findings." "Antisemitism is a serious problem and no matter the context, it is unacceptable," the statement says. "Harvard has taken substantive, proactive steps to address the root causes of antisemitism in its community. "In responding to the government's investigation, Harvard not only shared its comprehensive and retrospective Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias Report but also outlined the ways that it has strengthened policies, disciplined those who violate them, encouraged civil discourse, and promoted open, respectful dialogue." It added that the university "has made significant strides to combat bigotry, hate and bias," and that it is not alone in confronting the ongoing challenge. Harvard's summary of actions and commitments, per its own Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias, outlined multiple initiatives currently being undertaken. Some include strengthening academic and residential life and including more Jewish student representation; supporting belonging and promoting respectful dialogue; and updating campus use rules and other procedures. The letter claimed Harvard did not dispute the factual findings. The officials argued that the university's "inaction in the face of these civil rights violations is a clear example of the demographic hierarchy that has taken hold of the University." Details of the Investigation and Findings The HHS Office for Civil Rights found that Jewish and Israeli students at Harvard reported a climate of bias, harassment, and fear. The official notice outlined that "the majority of Jewish students reported experiencing negative bias or discrimination on campus, while a quarter felt physically unsafe." Specific incidents included assaults, being spit on, and students hiding their kippahs or Jewish identity out of fear. In addition, antisemitic symbols and imagery were widely circulated at Harvard, including images depicting a dollar sign inside a Star of David and stickers showing an Israeli flag altered with a swastika. Campus protests extended beyond peaceful assembly, with the task force citing demonstrations that, according to the agencies, "included calls for genocide and murder and denied Jewish and Israeli students access to campus spaces." The campus experienced a "multiweek encampment" at its center, purportedly instilling fear and disrupting academic life for Jewish and Israeli students. Disciplinary actions for those involved in these encampments and protests were described in the notice as "lax and inconsistent," with none of the charged students facing suspension and some university leadership criticizing the process as "not fair" and "not right." Potential Consequences for Harvard The notice specified that Harvard may "continue to operate free of federal privileges," but with the clear implication that all U.S. taxpayer funding—including research grants and student aid—could be withdrawn. The joint task force said the intervention was driven not only by documented harm to individuals, but by the historic dangers of ignoring antisemitism, invoking the Holocaust as a historic warning. Calls for Immediate Reform One in four American adults now exhibiting prejudice toward Jewish people and skepticism about antisemitism—an increase of 26 million people compared to 18 months ago—according a study released in May by the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. "The enclosed document serves to focus Harvard on the need for meaningful and immediate reform and fulfill the requirement under law that Americans cease funding discriminatory institutions," the letter read. "Failure to institute adequate changes immediately will result in the loss of all federal financial resources and continue to affect Harvard's relationship with the federal government." What People Are Saying Roz Rothstein, co-founder and CEO of StandWithUs, an international nonpartisan education organization that supports Israel and fights antisemitism, to Newsweek: "We are encouraged that DOJ and OCR utilized Harvard's own Antisemitism Task Force report to determine that Harvard is in violation of Title VI and issued an actual finding of violation. "This is necessary for any further action by the federal government, including withholding of funding, and a welcome development in the enforcement of Title VI. We look forward to seeing what steps Harvard's administration will take next to bring itself into compliance with federal law and finally make its campus one where Jewish and Israeli students not only find physical safety but equal protection under the law." Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights at DOJ, stated in the letter: "Harvard's inaction in the face of these civil rights violations is a clear example of the demographic hierarchy that has taken hold of the University. Equal defense of the law demands that all groups, regardless of race or national origin, are protected." The letter further stated, "That legacy of discrimination persists with Harvard's continued anti-Semitism." Josh Gruenbaum, commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service, U.S. General Services Administration, joined the co-signatories warning of immediate consequences: "Failure to institute adequate changes immediately will result in the loss of all federal financial resources and continue to affect Harvard's relationship with the federal government." What Happens Next Harvard University now faces a deadline to take actions requested by the task for or risk losing all federal funding, as outlined in the notice. Federal agencies have indicated that unless "meaningful and immediate reform" is demonstrated, enforcement actions—which could include cutting off federal research grants and support—will proceed. Continued monitoring and potential further government action are expected as the situation develops.
