Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis urges teens to start learning AI tools now or risk being left behind. Just as millennials grew up with the internet and personal computers, and Gen Z with smartphones and tablets, generative AI represents the transformative technology defining Gen Alpha’s era — one they should actively embrace, Hassabis said during a recent episode of "Hard Fork, " a podcast focusing on the future of technology. He explained to co-hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton that over the next 5 to 10 years, as typically occurs with major technological shifts, some jobs will be disrupted. Yet, he emphasized that “new, more valuable, usually more interesting jobs get created” following such disruptions. The generative AI race accelerated rapidly after OpenAI released ChatGPT in 2022, prompting excitement and concerns about how it will reshape workplaces and society. Google DeepMind, the research arm behind Google’s AI initiatives including the chatbot Gemini, is led by Hassabis in the quest for artificial general intelligence (AGI) — often defined as an AI capable of human-like reasoning. Speaking live at the Google I/O developer conference, Hassabis revealed that DeepMind is less than a decade away from achieving its own AGI. Addressing young people, Hassabis stressed, “Whatever happens with these AI tools, you’ll be better off understanding how they work, how they function, and what you can do with them. ” He encouraged college-bound students to “immerse yourself now” and become expert, or “a sort of ninja, ” in using the latest AI tools.

He also highlighted the importance of “learning to learn, ” advice he previously gave to University of Cambridge students. Other AI leaders have similarly urged teenagers concerned about AI to engage with the technology and explore its limitations. Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman advised youth to experiment with AI tools and understand their weaknesses. Meanwhile, Rice University recently announced it will offer AI degrees, joining a growing list of colleges expanding AI education. Hassabis also cautioned that teens should not neglect foundational STEM skills while pursuing AI knowledge. He recommended focusing on coding proficiency and building essential core skills to succeed. “Creativity, adaptability, resilience — these meta-skills are what will be vital for the next generation, ” he concluded on the podcast.