Will A.I. Make College Obsolete?
The article questions the future viability of the American university system amid rising costs, declining public trust, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. With increasing concerns about student debt, job market relevance, and AI-driven automation of white-collar work, the value of a college degree is being called into question. However, the credentialing function of colleges—signaling intelligence, work ethic, and conformity—may ensure their survival even if educational methods evolve.
- ▪More than one in four college students believe their tuition was not a good investment.
- ▪Over forty percent of college graduates aged 22 to 27 hold jobs that do not require a degree.
- ▪Seven in ten Americans think the higher education system is heading in the wrong direction, citing high tuition costs.
- ▪The article suggests college may serve more as a signal of employability than as a place for skill acquisition.
- ▪AI advancements and automation threaten entry-level white-collar jobs, raising doubts about the necessity of traditional college education.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Fault LinesWill A.I. Make College Obsolete?Americans already distrust institutions, including academia. More and more people may decide that its stamp of approval isn’t worth the cost.By Jay Caspian KangMay 5, 2026Photograph by Nicolò Rinaldi / Connected ArchivesSave this storySave this storySave this storySave this storyThis is Part 1 in a series of columns about the viability of the American university system.A few weeks ago, while I was dealing with taxes, it occurred to me that the money my wife and I were putting away in a college fund for our children might be better used somewhere else.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The New Yorker.
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