Dear Class of 2025…
A few words to live by in the AI era.
Recently, I was invited to give one of the alumni talks during my university’s commencement (though we won't mention how many years it's been since I wore that graduation gown!). It got me thinking: What would I say to graduates today, stepping into a world transformed by AI…?
You're entering an era shaped by artificial intelligence: It's exciting, daunting, and full of possibilities. It’s perfectly normal to feel uncertain. Your parents probably felt this way at their graduation, and believe me, their parents did, too!
But I won’t predict which careers AI will disrupt or declare which field you should have chosen. Instead, I want to share some thoughts to guide you through the inevitable twists and turns ahead.
Always Be Learning.
Growth isn't always about grand gestures; it's the subtle, steady rhythm of curiosity and exploration that accumulates over time. It’s like compound interest for your future self. Imagine dedicating just a few minutes daily to something new. Consider the student who tackled two coding problems every morning; over months, these modest moments built her confidence and technical skill, eventually earning her a dream role as a research scientist.
At a recent conference, Andrew Ng, the computer scientist, recommended, "Try one new thing with AI every week." This gentle, consistent curiosity — just a simple weekly commitment — can profoundly expand your understanding, positioning you as a thoughtful and trusted voice in your chosen field.
Own Your Story.
Your background isn't just your history, it's the story of your potential. Every experience you've lived through, whether joyous or challenging, enriches your narrative and empowers your future. Imagine the graduate who spent her childhood translating documents for her immigrant parents. In job interviews, she spoke openly about these experiences, not just to impress interviewers but because empathy and understanding had become integral to who she was. This genuine human empathy, built from life's real challenges, isn't just compelling; it's an essential skill, enabling profound connections and meaningful impacts even in the age of AI.
Your life's complexities — navigating family responsibilities, overcoming obstacles, juggling multiple roles — have sculpted your resilience, adaptability, and emotional depth. Embrace your story fully. Share it proudly. Stories don’t just interest, they also inspire, connect, and resonate.
Build Connections Through Genuine Presence.
Building relationships isn’t about grand gestures or endless, exhausting networking events. It’s the gentle art of consistently showing up, listening deeply, and engaging authentically wherever you are. Even in our digital, AI-driven world, imagine weaving thoughtful comments into a vibrant LinkedIn discussion or sharing a moment of genuine curiosity with a speaker after a campus event. Picture yourself contributing quietly yet meaningfully to conversations in alumni groups or community forums, gradually becoming a trusted, familiar presence. These small acts of genuine connection form a tapestry of relationships, opening doors you didn’t even know were there: mentorship, collaboration, and pathways to unexpected opportunities.
Say Yes to Manageable Opportunities.
Truly, no opportunity is too small. Especially as AI reshapes workplaces, employers value human initiative more than ever. Imagine volunteering to coordinate your team's weekly meeting, helping streamline processes and enhancing team morale. Or picture agreeing to explore an unfamiliar AI tool your team is hesitant to adopt, becoming the person who bridges technology and teamwork. These manageable “yeses” quietly shape your trajectory, often revealing strengths you didn't even know you had.
Courage, Strength, and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome isn't a new phenomenon: It existed long before AI, and it will persist beyond it. It’s that whisper of doubt that makes you question if you truly belong. But your voice matters profoundly. Imagine a recent grad, anxious about speaking up in meetings, yet finding the courage to share an idea that shifts the direction of a project. Each time you speak despite uncertainty, you break free from the chains of learned helplessness.
You don't need to fix everything to matter. Small actions carry immense power, sending ripples of change outward. Embrace setbacks as your greatest teachers. Resilience doesn't emerge from ease — it grows beautifully from facing challenges head-on.
Everyone Can Be a Builder.
Builders are problem-solvers at heart, seeing challenges as opportunities to create positive change. Embrace problems and look for ways you can solve them. With the gap between desire and experience closing rapidly due to accessible tools, now is your moment to make a difference. Imagine returning to your hometown and launching a community-based food-sharing network to address local food insecurity, an issue big tech might overlook.
Creative problem-solving transforms communities, lives, and perspectives. The world improves not only through grand tech ventures but through countless acts of passion-driven innovation by people like you.
Quick Side Note: Protecting Education Matters.
I know you're eager to leave textbooks behind. But your education wasn't just about personal achievement; it's part of a broader fabric of curiosity and progress.
I challenge you to use your voice, your actions, your platforms to support institutions that foster inquiry, creativity, and fairness. Stand up not merely as alumni, but as guardians of a future built on learning and discovery.
Your Realistic Optimism Shapes the Future.
You're not simply stepping into a future shaped by AI; you’re actively shaping it through your unique perspective and authentic experiences. Choosing optimism over fear will have a profound impact.
As Professor D. Graham Burnett wrote, “What it is like to be us, in our full humanity — this isn’t out there in the interwebs…. The machines can only ever approach it secondhand. But secondhand is precisely what being here isn’t. The work of being here — of living, sensing, choosing — still awaits us. And there is plenty of it.”
Your story, your humanity, is your superpower. Use it to shape what comes next.
So, Class of 2025, here you are, poised to make your mark.