Leveraging AI for Everything

Here’s my take on AI in school and work—the benefits it brings and the challenges it creates.

The Reality of Higher Education and AI

The reality is undeniable: colleges in the U.S. are merging or shutting down at an accelerating rate. People are rightfully questioning the value of higher education as a secure path to the future. The cost of degrees has skyrocketed, yet wages have stagnated. Automation, AI, and shifting labor demands are reshaping industries faster than institutions can adapt. The traditional promise—that a degree guarantees stability—is no longer holding up.

We are in the midst of a profound transformation, and AI is at the heart of it.

AI in Early Education

Khan Academy has been a game-changer for early education, continuously improving and expanding its impact on millions of children worldwide. Its ability to democratize access to high-quality education is nothing short of remarkable. Another great example of this is Synthesis , which leverages AI through its Super Tutor to enhance learning outcomes.

AI has the potential to take this even further, especially in K-12 education, where students can now learn faster, better, and more efficiently than ever before. Research into AI-driven personalized learning is advancing rapidly, and while we don’t yet fully grasp its long-term impact, one thing is clear: education is undergoing a massive transformation—and AI is at the center of it.

The Resistance to AI in Recruitment

Recently, I came across a job posting that explicitly stated:

“The company will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection process prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as ChatGPT, or other language-generating tools. The company reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at the company’s sole discretion, and the company reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.”

This is part of a growing trend where organizations assume that AI-assisted writing is somehow inauthentic, inaccurate, or a sign of laziness. But is it?

Many AI detection methods look for linguistic markers—words like spearheaded or honing that have suddenly become more popular, the correct use of em dashes (like I just did), hyper-polished phrasing, or an overly structured tone, or simply writing that seems too good for a non-native speaker. But let’s be honest: this is the kind of writing you’d learn in an expensive English class or an elite university. So why assume that an applicant refining their CV or cover letter with AI is being deceptive?

And after hundreds of hours working with AI, wouldn’t their writing naturally improve? Wouldn’t they learn new words, refine their style—and, in a way, start to mirror the speech of their 'teacher'?

AI is a tool—much like Grammarly , a dictionary, or even a writing tutor—and if it helps someone communicate more effectively, why penalize them for using it?

After all, rarely does a politician write their own speeches—professional speechwriters and proofreaders handle that for a living. So why hold job applicants to an unrealistic standard of self-editing when even the most influential figures rely on expert assistance?

Not everyone in the EU speaks like Finnish President Alexander Stubb —and that’s precisely why he stands out.

AI as an Equalizer, Not a Crutch

In the words of Scott Galloway , “Higher ed is about taking unremarkable kids and giving them a shot at being remarkable.” Universities exist to elevate thought, foster curiosity, and encourage intellectual growth—yet ironically, this is exactly what AI is accomplishing. So why are we so quick to reject AI under the assumption that no original thought is involved?

I was fortunate to have studied—and went into heavy debt for it—under some of the best English teachers, including a professor in Japan with a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in English from 美国普林斯顿大学 . He transformed the way I write, teaching me structure, nuance, and coherence.

AI functions in a similar way—not as a replacement for human thinking, but as a skilled tutor, helping individuals refine their writing, correct grammar, and improve clarity.

If an applicant uses AI to ensure their CV is well-structured and clear, should that be grounds for rejection? Or should we recognize it for what it is—a tool that enhances communication, just as education does?

AI is not replacing thought. It is enhancing how we articulate our thoughts.

Privacy Concerns and the Illusion of Transparency

Of course, concerns about privacy and data security are valid. The question of how AI companies handle our data is an important one, but let’s not pretend that banning AI from recruitment is a solution.

At an AI symposium I attended last year, a professor left the audience speechless with a single slide exposing the lack of transparency in how AI companies source and train their models on vast amounts of data—including synthetic data. Companies use synthetic data to train AI models without relying entirely on human-generated content, but the problem is that it’s often derived from existing datasets and manipulated in ways that aren’t always transparent.

What this means is that AI isn’t just learning from us—it’s learning around us.

AI in Learning and Work

Let’s take a step back: if engineers use AI to debug code, optimize servers, and manage complex systems, why are we treating AI-assisted writing differently?

Many of the world’s best engineers rely on AI-powered tools to write better code, improve cybersecurity, and solve critical infrastructure challenges. Why should a job applicant be penalized for using AI to communicate more effectively?

The Market Is Shifting

There is another shift happening in parallel: companies are not hiring.

Despite historically low unemployment rates, we are witnessing a rise in ghost job postings (more on that here)—positions that remain open indefinitely, designed more to gauge market interest than to hire. At the highest levels, companies know large-scale layoffs are coming. Governments are scrambling to figure out how to retrain and reskill their populations.

Meanwhile, businesses are benefiting from the uncertainty. Employee retention is high because talent is staying put—but that also means skills are stagnating.

Countries that are actively hiring, such as those in the GCC, are capitalizing on this shift. Salaries in many sectors are being slashed in half. Benefits like education packages, housing allowances, and relocation support are disappearing. Younger, tech-savvy talent is stepping in, and while that might make businesses more efficient in the short term, it cannot replace experience.

And here’s the thing about experience: you don’t seek perspective if you don’t have any. It takes time, failures, and learning from others to develop the kind of insight that younger talent often lacks.

That’s not a criticism—it’s a fact.

For Job Seekers: You Are Not the Problem

To everyone searching for work right now: you are not a failure.

You are not looking in the wrong places. You are not suddenly uncompetitive.

The market is shifting in unpredictable ways. Companies are hesitant. Governments are slow to react. The economy is adjusting. Unemployment programs need to be more dynamic, offering learning opportunities for those with families, mortgages, and responsibilities.

The Future Is Ours to Shape

I say this often, and I mean it—I am living my best life.

I have access to hundreds of thousands of books, to brilliant minds just a click away, and to new ideas every single day. I encourage my kids’ curiosity, and it’s incredible to watch them grow with every answer—shoutout to Perplexity .

Technology will improve lives for most humans, but like all progress, it comes at a cost.

The question is: who gets to decide how we move forward?

My call to action is simple:

? Don’t be passive.

? Engage with these conversations.

? Understand the technologies shaping your life.

? Push for AI policies that benefit people.