AI's First Targets: Why 'Safe' College-to-Career Paths Are Now the Riskiest

The AI Disruption Is Here—And It's Targeting Traditional Career Paths

For generations, professionals have been taught that succeeding in school and attending an elite university would guarantee a rewarding six-figure career. But within a matter of years, AI has disrupted the world of work, and it’s fast taking over the office roles humans were once promised. Now, venture capitalist Bill Gurley cautions workers against blindly following the career blueprint.

“This is new and fast, and it’s attacking jobs that haven’t been attacked in the past,” Gurley said recently during the On with Kara Swisher podcast. “It’s creating a lot of anxiety, but I don’t know that we can put it back in the bottle.”

The prolific tech financier, famous for his early investments in Uber and Zillow, is skeptical that the government could pass AI regulation or pull off a massive reskilling effort. So as the technology continues to automate traditionally stable and lucrative roles, like lawyers and software engineers, it’s imperative that workers actually be invested in their profession—or risk facing the chopping block.

Who's Most at Risk?

“The people that are most at risk are the ones that are sitting idly in the job and don’t really have a why or a purpose for it,” Gurley revealed. “A lot of the people that go through that college conveyor belt, that are chasing a safe job, that end up working as a widget or a cog in an industry they may not love—I think they are ripe for disruption.”

The Benchmark Capital general partner acknowledges it’s easier said than done, but the best path forward is to “craft your own career path” and tailor it to an individual’s distinct skills.

How to Survive and Thrive in the AI Era

For those who can’t switch sectors or become self-employed, AI can act as career “jet fuel” that can make them even better at their jobs and indispensable to their employers.

“If it’s out of your control, I just would say understand what it’s capable of in your industry and be the most AI-aware person in your job,” Gurley advised. “You’re going to then be the last person that they want to get rid of.”

Gurley explores the idea that chasing a career of passion is a strategic edge, and not fluffy advice, in his new book Runnin’ Down a Dream. He’s also one of several business leaders questioning the efficacy of how young professionals are trained to approach college.

The investor has noticed a few worrying trends that may inhibit young professionals from following their true aspirations, hurting their career success. Gurley explained that kids today are “programmed from a time perspective” more than other generations. The budding talent start worrying about having a stacked résumé from a young age, and now some colleges require students to apply with a major in mind.