Openai CEO Sam Altman encourages Gen Z students to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as an important career skill, claiming that AI proficiency is more valuable than traditional coding.
in response This year, for a survey of professional orientations of all Gen Z High School alumni, Altman responded that studying AI tools is now essential to being successful at work. He argued that it makes sense for AI to rapidly transform its work and study those skills.
When Altman studied how to program in high school, he drew an analogy by stating that it was the most stable route to paying a proper salary.
AI is already having a major impact on the world of technology. According to Sam Altman, AI now handles about half of the coding of most companies.
Some experts, like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, believe that AI can code 90% in 3-6 months.
That shift has led businesses to rethink their employment practices. Software engineers will not die out. However, companies currently need individuals who can work with AI capabilities.
This is evident in job postings with large employers such as Apple, Amazon, and Meta. This has recently provided seven figure pay for the best AI scientists.
AI literacy has become the most popular skill
According to a recent report of LinkedInAI literacy is the fastest emerging skill of 2025. Companies in all fields want someone who understands AI and can use it for problem solving and innovation.
This report describes AI literacy as a general skill that covers knowledge and uses tools such as ChatGPT and other generative techniques. No one can deny it. It’s not just an inevitable part of technology’s life. Business, marketing, media and communications experts also use AI to enhance their work.
Programmers engaged in coding: Source: Pixabay
AI literacy allows people to take advantage of tools powered by AI. This can be applied without advanced technical know-how for model construction or data analysis.
With artificial intelligence emerging as a powerful component of personal and professional workflows, engineers and tech experts are embracing AI to automate processes, increase efficiency and drive innovation.
However, getting one of these lucrative AI jobs is not an easy task. As LinkedIn Editor-in-Chief Dan Roth reported today, the fingertips attached to the declining employment rate are 3.4%, with people applying in large numbers. He said there are fewer companies’ employment. It’s not a catastrophe, but it’s not good there.
Of course, AI skills are important, but it’s not the only way to protect yourself in the workplace in the future. Soft skills are more important than ever.
In fact, CEO Chris Heems told Fortune that employers should focus on candidates with “curiosity and openness.” Adaptation and bounceback are key when navigating the changing labor market.
Even with AI expertise, soft skills are still important
AI functions are assets, but technical skills alone are not enough. Altman recommends that Gen Z consider soft skills such as adaptability and resilience. As the employment environment continues to change, employees are required to be able to easily learn new technologies.
In fact, CEO Chris Heems agrees. He recommends hiring a manager to look for an adaptable and curious applicant.
As AI automates more, businesses still need people who can analyse, innovate and adapt. Despite self-reinforcement using formal education initiatives or AI tools such as Google’s NoteBookLM, young professionals need to go ahead of the curve.
According to Altman, with AI progressing and the career sector being prepared for disruption, Gen Z must use such tools to stay on the forefront.
