Gen Z graduates are struggling to land jobs in an AI-driven economy. But pursuing a PhD to stand out may not be the solution, according to several top tech leaders. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes industries, even advanced degrees could lose their edge.
From AI pioneers to Big Tech CEOs, the message is increasingly clear: the traditional higher education path may not be keeping up with the pace of technological change.
Why a PhD May Not Be the Competitive Advantage It Once Was
Jad Tarifi, founder of Google’s first generative-AI team, has issued a stark warning to Gen Z students considering doctoral programs.
In interviews with Business Insider and Fortune, Tarifi said students risk “throwing away” years of their lives pursuing degrees that may become outdated before they even graduate.
“AI itself is going to be gone by the time you finish a PhD. Even things like applying AI to robotics will be solved by then,” Tarifi explained.
Tarifi earned his own PhD in artificial intelligence in 2012, when AI was far less mainstream. Today, however, he believes the landscape is changing too quickly for multi-year academic programs to maintain relevance.
Instead of committing to a traditional PhD, he suggests:
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Studying niche intersections like AI and biology
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Gaining hands-on experience
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Or potentially skipping advanced degrees altogether
AI Is Advancing Faster Than Education Can Adapt
The warning comes as AI leaders openly acknowledge how quickly the technology is evolving.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, recently said that GPT-5 performs at the level of a PhD expert in many subjects.
“GPT-5 really feels like talking to a PhD-level expert in any topic,” Altman said. “Something like GPT-5 would be pretty much unimaginable in any other time in history.”
Meanwhile, Bill Gates has admitted that even he is surprised by the pace at which AI is accelerating.
If AI can already replicate doctoral-level reasoning, students are beginning to ask: What is the long-term ROI of spending 5–7 years earning a PhD?
Are Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees Losing Value?
As AI tools automate more tasks, undergraduate degrees are delivering less guaranteed payoff. In response, many young professionals have turned to advanced degrees in hopes of securing six-figure roles — some even targeting jobs with salaries exceeding $200,000.
But Tarifi argues that even prestigious degrees in medicine or law may no longer justify the time investment.
He points out that:
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Medical education often emphasizes memorization over adaptive problem-solving
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AI is rapidly improving diagnostic and research capabilities
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The knowledge learned in school can become outdated quickly
“Higher education as we know it is on the verge of becoming obsolete,” Tarifi told Fortune.
Instead of collecting credentials, he believes future success will depend on:
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Unique perspectives
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Emotional intelligence
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Strong interpersonal connections
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Self-awareness and adaptability
Tech Leaders Question the College Model
Tarifi isn’t alone in his skepticism.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, recently questioned whether college is preparing students for modern jobs during an appearance on This Past Weekend.
“I’m not sure that college is preparing people for the jobs that they need to have today,” Zuckerberg said, referencing rising student debt and outdated curricula.
He added that the once-taboo idea — that not everyone needs a college degree — is gaining broader acceptance.
The AI PhD Job Pipeline Is Still Strong — For Now
Despite these concerns, the private-sector demand for AI PhDs remains high.
According to data from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), about 70% of AI doctoral graduates in 2023 entered private-sector roles, up from just 20% two decades ago.
However, this trend has sparked concerns about academic “brain drain.”
Henry Hoffmann, chair of the computer science department at the University of Chicago, noted that salary offers have become difficult for academia to compete with.
He shared that one PhD student with no professional experience recently left the program to accept a high six-figure offer from ByteDance.
“When students can get the kind of job they want [as students], there’s no reason to force them to keep going,” Hoffmann said.
So What Should Gen Z Do Instead?
Rather than chasing credentials, Tarifi encourages young people to focus on qualities AI cannot easily replicate:
1. Deep Human Connection
The ability to collaborate, empathize, and build trust.
2. Self-Development
Emotional awareness and inner resilience.
3. Interdisciplinary Thinking
Exploring niche fields where AI is a tool — not the sole focus.
4. Agility Over Credentials
Building adaptable skills rather than stacking degrees.
In an era where AI evolves faster than academic programs, adaptability may become more valuable than a diploma.
The Bottom Line: Is a PhD Still Worth It in 2026?
The pipeline from PhD to high-paying tech roles remains strong — for now. But as AI systems approach expert-level performance and industries shift rapidly, the long-term value of extended academic programs is increasingly uncertain.
For Gen Z graduates navigating a competitive job market, the question may no longer be:
“How many degrees should I earn?”
But instead:
“How can I build uniquely human skills that AI can’t replace?”
As artificial intelligence reshapes the workforce, one thing is clear: the future of education — and careers — is being rewritten in real time.
