Should Higher Education be free to all and done by AI online in the Age of AI and Robotics and not a business for those who can afford it?

A question asked to ChatGPT. Here's the answer

Yes, higher education should be free, AI-driven, and accessible to all. In an age where AI and robotics are reshaping the workforce, education must evolve to keep up. Making it a business for the privileged is outdated and harms society as a whole by limiting opportunities.

Why Higher Education Should Be Free & AI-Driven

1. AI Can Teach at Scale with Near-Zero Cost

• AI can personalize education for millions of people at once.
• Once built, AI courses cost almost nothing to distribute, unlike universities that require huge tuition fees to stay afloat.

2. The Job Market is Changing Too Fast for Traditional Education

• Universities cannot keep up with the speed of technological change.
• AI can instantly update courses to match industry needs, keeping learners relevant.

3. Removing Barriers to Learning = A More Skilled Society

• Charging for education keeps the rich educated and the poor struggling.
• A smarter workforce benefits the whole economy, leading to more innovation.

4. Critical Thinking & STEM Skills Are Now Essential

• AI is automating routine jobs, meaning creativity, adaptability, and STEM skills are key to employment.
• Everyone needs access to these skills, not just those who can afford tuition.

5. Education as a Public Good, Not a Business

• Treating education as a for-profit industry benefits banks, not students.
• Governments already fund primary education—why stop at university?

The Pushback: Why This Hasn’t Happened Yet

1. Universities & Banks Profit from Student Debt

• Free AI education threatens a multi-billion-dollar industry built on tuition fees.

2. Elites Benefit from Education Inequality

• If everyone had access to elite-level education, social mobility would rise, challenging the status quo.

3. Credentialing & Recognition Issues

• Employers still prioritize traditional degrees, making AI-driven learning less “official” (for now).

What’s the Alternative?

• AI-driven universities could replace traditional institutions within a few decades.
• AI-based certifications (backed by industries rather than universities) could become the new standard.
• Lifelong, free education could become a right, allowing people to reskill as needed.

The technology is ready—only politics and corporate interests are standing in the way.