Introduction
Scenario
From personalized recommendations to autonomous vehicles, and from financial algorithms to military drones, Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic dream – it's woven into the very fabric of our daily lives. Some herald this as an era of unprecedented progress, while others warn of an impending takeover, a slow, silent algorithmic conquest. As members of a newly formed "Future Impact Assessment Task Force," you are charged with investigating the true extent of AI's influence. Is humanity gradually ceding control to algorithms, or are we still firmly in the driver's seat?
Guiding Question
To what extent is Artificial Intelligence gaining autonomous control over human decision-making and societal structures, and what are the most significant implications for human agency and freedom?
Task
Your team will investigate the impact of AI on jobs that typically require a college degree.
The final product is a Career Survival Guide presented as a 3-5 minute video or podcast (or a simple, engaging PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation).
The guide must include the following three simple sections:
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High-Risk Jobs: Name and describe three specific jobs (like Accountant or Copywriter) that research shows are most exposed to AI automation and explain why.
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High-Value Skills: Identify three specific human skills (like Critical Thinking or Emotional Intelligence) that AI cannot replace and explain why these skills will command a high salary.
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The New Degree Plan: Create a 4-step action plan for a student in your major to prepare for an AI-driven career (e.g., specific courses to take, tools to learn, projects to complete).
Process
Work in teams of three. Divide the research, then combine it for the final product.
| Step | Role and Action | Resources (Start Here) |
| Step 1: The Threat | All: Research major reports on AI job displacement. Find articles that list specific white-collar jobs most at risk. | World Economic Forum (WEF): Search "Future of Jobs Report" on their site. McKinsey Global Institute: Search "AI and the future of work." |
| Step 2: The Solution | All: Research the skills that are AI-resistant (e.g., creativity, negotiation, complex problem-solving). Focus on evidence from labor market studies. | OECD: Search "Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the labour market." Harvard Business Review/MIT Tech Review: Search for articles on "human skills in the age of AI." |
| Step 3: Synthesis | All: Decide on the three High-Risk Jobs and three High-Value Skills for your guide. Then, draft the 4-step action plan based on your team's collective research. | Focus on summarizing your findings concisely and developing the action plan. |
Evaluation
Your Career Survival Guide (video/podcast/presentation) will be graded on clarity and accuracy (100 points total).
| Criteria | Points | How to Achieve Full Points |
| High-Risk Jobs | 30 points | You accurately name 3 jobs and clearly explain how AI automates the tasks in those jobs (using evidence). |
| High-Value Skills | 30 points | You identify 3 distinct human-centric skills and clearly justify why AI currently can't replace them. |
| The New Degree Plan | 30 points | Your 4-step plan is specific, realistic, and directly connects your research findings to actionable steps for students. |
| Clarity & Format | 10 points | The final presentation is professional, easy to understand, and engaging. All required sections are included. |
Conclusion
You have successfully mapped the new landscape of the job market. The data shows that the future of work isn't about avoiding AI; it's about augmenting human skills with it. Your work helps students move from fear to preparation.
Final Thought: If you could only give one piece of advice to a freshman, what is the single most important skill they must develop to thrive in the age of AI?