Matthew Candy, IBM’s global managing partner for Generative AI, emphasized to Fortune the shifting landscape of tech careers: “Questioning, creativity skills, and innovation are going to be hugely important because I think AI’s going to free up more capacity for creative thought processes.”
The necessity of a computer science degree for tech jobs might be a thing of the past, according to IBM’s AI chief.
Candy highlighted how AI will enable individuals without technical expertise to develop products more effortlessly. “The speed at which people will be able to come up with an idea, to test the idea, to make something, it’s going to be so accelerated,” he stated.
He stressed that a computer science degree wouldn’t be a prerequisite for these advancements. Instead, the emphasis will shift towards soft skills such as critical thinking and creativity. “You don’t need to have a degree in computer science to do that,” Candy affirmed.
In Candy’s view, AI’s ascent will prioritize attributes like questioning, creativity, and innovation, paving the way for more creative thought processes.
Beyond just the tech industry, Candy predicted AI’s impact on fields like the arts, foreseeing AI image-generation technology enabling individuals to take on roles traditionally reserved for trained professionals. “You’re going to be able to take on the role of a designer. You don’t need to be a graphic designer and have an art degree to do these things,” Candy explained.
His sentiments echo those of LinkedIn’s vice president, Aneesh Raman, who highlighted in a Microsoft podcast that AI’s rise will accentuate soft skills over technical ones. “The shelf life of a degree is shrinking pretty dramatically,” Raman noted.
Goldman Sachs previously reported that AI could disrupt over 300 million jobs, prompting IBM to pause hiring in roles susceptible to AI replacement. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna estimated that about 30% of back-office roles could be replaced by AI and automation within five years.
Business Insider’s attempt to reach out to IBM for comment outside regular hours went unanswered at the time of reporting.