Graduates are managing AI - but are they learning much else?
Graduates are spending more time managing AI, but are they missing out on other work experience?
Lotte Underwood, a 25-year-old public relations executive, spends more time using AI than actually doing PR. She joined London-based PR agency Fight or Flight as an AI associate after completing a degree and a master's in marketing. Her role involves managing AI agents, checking their outputs, and monitoring how clients appear in AI responses.
She also works with clients in meetings to determine the most helpful information from AI agents. Another example is Dillan Patel, a 24-year-old intern at engineering software company Stride who has since become an AI automation analyst. Patel develops internal agents to provide specific information to teams, while identifying tasks that can be automated.
ArvatoConnect, an outsourced contact centre company, is also focusing on AI-disruptor roles, with CEO Debra Maxwell aiming to hire more graduates with AI expertise. Maxwell believes that AI can make graduate roles more integral to the organisation and contribute to a more loyal and engaged workforce. Research from PwC shows that some graduate roles are assuming more responsibilities due to AI, as companies demand senior-level skills from junior hires.
Young professionals like Underwood, Patel, and Cian Clinton feel more valued and empowered in their roles due to their AI skills. Clinton, a 23-year-old graduate at consultancy Valliance, believes that AI progression is now based on critical thinking and understanding of processes, rather than just knowledge. While graduates are developing valuable AI knowledge, some argue that their time spent on AI may come at the expense of learning professional field-specific skills.
Simon Pratt, COO at Portman Finance Group, emphasizes the importance of being able to use AI effectively but also highlights the need for graduates to learn the trade. PwC UK's chief technology and innovation officer, Claire Reed, believes that graduate roles that are too AI-heavy may not provide long-term career progression, as AI skills alone are not enough.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.