Skills That Endure: Navigating Education in the Age of AI
For decades, degrees were treated as the ultimate passport to success. Today, that certainty is quietly unraveling. As automation accelerates and artificial intelligence outpaces human learning curves, young people are being told to “upskill”—but rarely told which skills will actually last. For instance, I thought that learning Python would be a perennial skillset, only to find out that ChatGPT did a better job at it the next day! This boils down to one question- which skills will outweigh the others? In a plethora of knowledge bases and practical learning opportunities, these are 6 evergreen skills which will easily equip the youth to battle all situations:
1. Learning Methodology
We live in an environment in which new apps can be developed in the blink of an eye and new concepts can replace worn out ones in seconds. It is not recommended but absolutely necessary to learn and un-learn the content around us. This skill mainly focuses on our willingness to learn. Learning is the only way to cope with changing times, so might as well learn the right way. Deloitte Global’s 2025 Gen Z and millennial survey indicates that Gen Zs and millennials seek learning and development through multiple channels, be it virtual or tactile. Thus, the skill of “how to learn” also includes identification of learning methods like visual, auditory or kinaesthetic to make learning more efficient.
2. AI Prompt Engineering
How many times has the generative AI model that we use given us extremely similar content, essays, ideas and graphics as it has for ten others? Using artificial intelligence will already be inevitable in the near future, so why use it like everyone else? AI prompt engineering focuses on structuring, fine- tuning, and utilising prompts, the instructions you give to the AI model. The goal is to ensure that output or content generated is precise and suits the needs of the user. A thoughtfully engineered prompt can reduce errors, make the output distinctive, increase the efficiency of the LLM and provide far more advantages than a patent, copy- pasted instruction. Ultimately, it is the humans who decide how to use artificial intelligence. If AI is irreplaceable, might as well make it work differently for you.
3. Effective Communication:
When social media and digital communication is rampant, in-person interaction is more likely to strike a chord with fellow humans. This makes it all the more necessary to understand body language and verbal cues as well as mastering conversational and oratory skills. Timely communication, especially through digital channels can prevent misunderstandings and is absolutely essential. So is learning how to negotiate tactfully according to mutual interest.
4. Personal Finance
“We have people to manage it for us” is what most will say when they even hear these words. Personal finance is not rocket science, it’s just about managing money and making sure you’re between being a frugal or a spendthrift. This balance can be achieved by tracking expenses daily and budgeting accordingly. Referring to Warren Buffet, making money in one’s sleep will go a long way in providing financial security at all times. Even learning one form of investment is sufficient enough to ensure stability.
5. Sustainable Living and Consumption
Industries, technology and entities consume more resources with every passing moment. As individual consumers, it becomes our responsibility to ensure that our consumption habits comply with ethical environmental practices. Increasing needless consumption depletes more resources which leads to more wastage. More wastage paves the way for more pollution, which we already are combatting with right now. Our lifestyles are also dependent on the amount we consume needlessly. Even if it means not using a plastic spoon, or perhaps not buying your tenth little black dress, micro efforts like these will go a long way in saving our planet. Such sustainable living is truly a skill because one conserves something scarce- resources.
6. Cyber Awareness
How many of us actually know how the cookies tab on the website we click on actually works? Or how Instagram algorithms can be utilised to gain more views? To ensure a firm foothold in this day and age, a youth of today must learn the basics-the fine print we scroll past. It’s basically a shift from “what” to “how”. Basic technological knowledge has the potential to save one from countless scams, frauds and cyber threats. It’s a case of fighting ignorance with knowledge.
These skills are merely the tip of the iceberg. Adapting to new skillsets as and when required is the key to standing out. The youth is the face of change for today and in order to implement it, being equipped with the right practical knowledge is indispensable.
-Written by Prisha Kothary