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#160: Art History Majors Beating Coders?
Education Next- Hundred and sixtieth Edition
Priyanka Modi
June 07, 2025
Issue #159 | May 54, 2025
Hello,
Education Next — Issue #160
When Art History Beats Computer Science, and Other Shocks from the Future of Work and Learning
The Unexpected Unemployment Gap: Why STEM Isn’t Always Safe
According to a new report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, computer engineering graduates in the U.S. face a 7.5% unemployment rate—more than double that of art history majors (3%).
Let that sink in.
STEM fields like computer science (6.1% unemployment) and engineering, long hailed for high salaries and job security, are struggling to place graduates. Meanwhile, “impractical” majors like art history are thriving—some even outpacing nutrition science grads (0.4%).
👉 Takeaway: The job market is no longer about what you studied. It’s about what you can do, how quickly you adapt, and how you stand out in a world shaped by AI.
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Steve Levitt x Ben Gomes: AI’s Role in Reinventing Learning
What happens when an economist (Freakonomics’ Steve Levitt) and Google’s Chief Learning Technologist (Ben Gomes) talk AI?
A fresh vision for education that’s data-informed, student-centred, and curiosity-driven.
“We’re not asking, ‘How do we use AI in education?’ We’re asking, ‘How do we reimagine learning for the world we’re in now?’” – Ben Gomes
Their discussion emphasizes how AI can personalize learning, assess deeper skills, and free up teachers for more meaningful roles—if we dare to redesign from the ground up.
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Claude Code: What Every Developer (and Educator) Should Know
Claude Code isn’t just a tool—it’s a movement.
Built by Anthropic, Claude Code is a terminal-based AI coding assistant that integrates seamlessly into your workflow, whether you use Vim, VS Code, or Zed.
“It’s agentic coding in the terminal… it works wherever you work.” – Boris Cherny, Claude Code team
Whether you’re teaching programming or building products, this shift toward natural, AI-assisted coding means the future isn’t just about knowing syntax—it’s about collaborating with intelligent agents.
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GitHub Copilot CEO on Why Coding Still Matters
As AI writes more code, some ask: Should kids still learn to code?
The answer from GitHub’s CEO is a resounding yes.
“Coding is like math or music. You may not become a pro, but learning it changes how you think.”
Their latest AI Coding Agent takes this further—able to analyze codebases, build features, and generate pull requests autonomously. But human understanding still matters. Teaching code now is about systems thinking, logic, and understanding the world built by software.
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Windsurf CEO: Don’t Fall in Love with Your Idea
Varun Mohan, CEO of the AI-native IDE Windsurf, offers wisdom that every young creator or founder should hear:
“Never be too in love with your ideas. You need irrational optimism… and brutal realism.”
He explains how Windsurf grew fast by pivoting quickly and solving real developer pain points, not just chasing hype. With over a million users, his story is a reminder that execution beats vision—when you’re willing to evolve.
Anthropic’s CEO on the AI Job Crisis: “It’s Coming Fast”
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, warns that AI is advancing faster than any tech before it—and it’s about to hit the labor market hard.
“AI is now like a smart college student—and it’s getting smarter. Fast.”
His biggest fear? Entry-level jobs. He predicts that AI could replace 50% of white-collar entry-level work, pushing unemployment to 10–20%.
“We need serious thinking on how to retrain people. Fast.”
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💡 What This Means for You
Educators: Coding and STEM alone aren’t enough. Teach adaptability, systems thinking, and curiosity.
Parents: Encourage your child to explore their interests—even the ones that seem “impractical.” The future may surprise us.
Learners: Learn how to learn. Master tools. Don’t chase degrees—chase skills, creativity, and mindset.
We’re not just in an era of change—we’re in an era where change is the constant. Whether you’re a coder, coach, teacher, or teen, AI is no longer the future. It’s the present.
Let’s stop asking “What will AI do to us?”
And start asking “What can we do with AI?”
Stay Curious, Stay Ahead!
Priyanka
In 2024, Adi and I travelled across India, visiting alternative learning spaces and meeting inspiring changemakers. This video captures one of those serendipitous moments from Bir, Himachal.
We heard about Pratul — a fashion designer turned wanderer — and were deeply moved by his story. So we walked to find him and listen to his journey. Adi instinctively pulled out his camera and started recording.
Pratul once studied fashion, but in 2011, driven by questions about happiness, development, and community, he gave away almost everything he owned. With just a rucksack, he set out to explore life beyond the familiar — walking, connecting, and living simply.
This video captures fragments of that powerful conversation — a story of adventure, curiosity, and what it truly means to live.
🔥 Stay Ahead of the Curve
The future is happening NOW. The question is—are you evolving with it?
👉 Subscribe to stay ahead → educationnext.beehiiv.com
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