As AI agents and more advanced tools are used more widely in business and tech companies, there are reports of job cuts tied to automation of repetitive tasks. This has caused concern among recent tech graduates about their chances of finding work in what were once highly paid tech roles.
There are also reports that recent college seniors are looking for “AI-proof” majors. NPR reporter Chloe Veltman notes that, as part of preparing for future careers, Will.i.am, co-founder of The Black Eyed Peas, is teaching a three-hour weekly class on “agentic AI” at Arizona State University. The class has about 80 students and focuses on building AI agents that can perform tasks on their own. It aims to give students early exposure to AI and help them prepare for future AI job demands.
Here are the key highlights from Veltman’s NPR article:
- Future-focused learning: Will.i.am, a pop star and philanthropist, is working to prepare students for a tech-driven job market. His approach makes AI easier to understand and helps students get ready for future careers, regardless of their background.
- Creativity as an advantage: Will.i.am believes people can stay competitive with AI by being highly creative. He even developed an AI-powered teddy bear called “MÖFO” to support learning and productivity, with a design meant to feel more human and approachable.
- Early use of AI in music: Will.i.am, co-founder of Beats Electronics, experimented with AI in music as early as 2010. In the Black Eyed Peas song “Imma Be Rocking That Body,” he used technology to help generate vocals.
- Ethics and business ties: He discusses ethics and accountability in AI with his students. At the same time, he invests in and works with AI companies. This raises questions about balance, though his goal of using AI to improve lives comes through clearly.
Veltman notes that Will.i.am has integrated technology into his identity and career more than many other musicians. Despite his work in tech, he continues to make music with the Black Eyed Peas and through solo projects. He is also focused on business and education, including developing a car that uses an AI agent and teaching at Arizona State University.
“The joys of making music and singing on stage, we’ll always do that,” will.i.am told NPR. “But teaching is this different calling. This is just the first year, and it’s dope.”
Acknowledgement: This summary was generated using AI writing tools as part of my AI Explorations process. For more information, please refer to the original articles listed below.