Palantir CEO Alex Karp said that "artificial intelligence (AI) will replace a large number of humanities-related jobs," repeatedly stressing the importance of job training over a traditional university education.
On the 21st, local time, Fortune said Karp attended the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, the previous day and said, "AI will destroy jobs in the humanities," adding, "There is no guarantee that majoring in philosophy at a prestigious university will allow you to remain competitive in the market going forward." He said, "If you have a lot of general knowledge but lack specific skills, you may be the first to be pushed out of the labor market."
Some argue that in the AI era, critical thinking and creativity will become more important. Benjamin Schiller, a professor in the economics department at Brandeis University, said in a recent interview that "the premium on uniqueness" will grow in the future labor market. Karp, however, drew a line, saying he does not agree with that view.
Karp is known to have followed an elite humanities track. He graduated from Haverford College, earned a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School, and received a doctorate in philosophy from Goethe University in Germany. Even so, he recalled that when he first started working, "I could not be sure who would give me a job," adding, "An elite degree does not immediately guarantee job stability."
In an earlier interview, he also noted that "even if you are highly intelligent enough to get into Yale, lacking expertise in a specific field is risky in itself." These remarks align with his long-standing criticism that graduates of elite universities lack practical skills.
Not all corporate executives share the same view. Robert Goldstein, BlackRock's chief operating officer (COO), has said that "BlackRock actively hires majors unrelated to finance or technology." Bob Sternfels, McKinsey's global managing partner, also said, "The more it is the age of artificial intelligence, the more humanities-based thinking can be a source of creativity."
Karp offered job training as a way to replace the traditional practice of degree-centered hiring. Palantir last year introduced a "meritocratic fellowship" for high school students that provides a paid four-month internship and an opportunity to interview for full-time roles. The company has publicly criticized "the opaque admissions and selection processes at U.S. universities for undermining meritocracy."
Karp said, "Whether you went to school, and where, does not matter," adding, "The moment you join Palantir, everyone is judged by the same standard." Citing as an example those who, after graduating from a community college, operate AI systems in the military and public sector, he explained that talent with practical skills can grow much faster.
He also cautioned against excessive pessimism about the current labor market. Although youth unemployment and unemployment among college graduates are rising at the same time, he emphasized that there will be enough jobs for those who have received job training. Karp said, "What matters is not a degree but skills and talents that are hard to replace," adding, "In the AI era, that standard will become even clearer."