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New Yorker asks, will AI make college obsolete?

educationMay 5, 202618115

The New Yorker published an essay arguing that generative AI could undercut college credentialing and teaching roles, threatening the value of degrees and faculty labor. The piece says AI's ability to automatically generate essays, solve problem sets, and provide tutoring may let students bypass coursework and prompt employers to rely less on formal degrees, at a moment when American trust in institutions is at an all time low. The author warns colleges risk being unbundled into credential checks, microlearning platforms, and proctored assessments, which could reduce tuition revenue and displace teaching positions. If institutions do not reinvent pedagogy and credentialing, employers and learners could shift to cheaper, AI-driven alternatives that prioritize demonstrable skills over traditional degrees.

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