"University or AI?" Research Study Launch

GROUNDBREAKING STUDY REVEALS AI-ENHANCED SCHOOL LEAVERS MATCH UNIVERSITY GRADUATES ACROSS 35 KEY SKILLS

Research warns universities have just 3 years to transform before the Class of 2028 faces obsolete degrees.

Revolutionary new research published on ResearchGate has revealed concerning evidence that the traditional value of university education is rapidly changing in the age of artificial intelligence. The study by Dr. Glen Crust and Emeritus Prof Brian Chalkley, titled "University or AI? ChatGPT, Skills, and Employability," shows that school leavers who have learned to use generative AI tools like ChatGPT are performing at levels remarkably similar to recent university graduates across 33 subjects and 35 occupational skills.

The study's findings suggest that students starting university in 2025 may graduate in 2028 with degrees that have lost significant value in the marketplace, as AI capabilities are developing much faster than traditional curricula can adapt.

Key Findings:

• Skills Gap Collapse: AI-enhanced school leavers now perform similarly to graduates across 35 O*NET framework occupational skills, particularly in analytical, communication, and problem-solving areas
• Subject Vulnerability: Business administration, basic programming, and introductory economics show the smallest performance differences between AI-users and graduates
• Three-Year Deadline: Universities have until 2028 to completely redesign what they offer or risk becoming irrelevant
• Geographic Divide: Urban areas and well-funded schools are adopting AI tools more quickly, creating fresh educational inequalities
• Social Mobility Opportunity: Students from disadvantaged backgrounds who can't afford university may now access careers that previously required degrees through AI skill development

Research Background:

The study examined performance across 35 key occupational skills from the O*NET framework, comparing AI-enhanced school leavers with recent university graduates across 33 academic subjects. The research draws on data from 381,945 graduates who responded to the 2021/22 HESA Graduate Outcomes survey, collected around 15 months after they completed higher education.

Dr. Glen Crust and Emeritus Prof Brian Chalkley's methodology shows that ChatGPT-4 can perform all 35 skills in the O*NET occupational database, indicating that competent ChatGPT users can work effectively across a wide range of occupations.

Policy Implications:

The research arrives at an important moment, alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer's July 2024 commitment to reform the UK skills system through Skills England. The study suggests a fresh approach for tracking real-time occupational skills data and evaluating higher education outcomes using current HESA Graduate Outcomes survey data.

The Path Forward:

Rather than trying to compete with AI, the research recommends "AI-native" education models that focus on:
• Human-AI collaboration techniques
• Skills that resist automation
• Real-world project-based learning
• Complex ethical reasoning and judgment
• Diverse skill sets over narrow subject specialization
The research emphasizes that students will increasingly face interview questions like: "Tell me about a time when you used generative AI to transform your performance and rapidly solve a challenging problem in a field with which you were completely unfamiliar."

About the Research:

The study provides practical frameworks for universities, students, and policymakers to navigate the AI-transformed educational landscape. The research offers a solid method for measuring skills outputs of higher education provision using existing HESA Graduate Outcomes survey data.

FACT SHEET

University or AI? Key Research Statistics

Research Scale:

• 33 academic subjects analyzed
• 35 occupational skills measured using the O*NET
framework
• 381,945 graduate responses from the HESA 2021/22 survey
• Performance data collected 15 months post-graduation

Critical Timeline:

• 2025: Current university entrants begin studies
• 2028: These students graduate into an AI-transformed job market
• 2024-2028: Window for university curriculum transformation

Most Vulnerable Subjects:

1. Business administration
2. Basic programming
3. Introductory economics

Geographic Impact:

• Urban schools are adopting AI tools faster than rural areas
• Well-resourced institutions leading implementation
• Fresh digital divide emerging in AI access

Social Mobility Implications:

• Traditional barriers to graduate careers are weakening
• AI tools are making advanced skills more accessible
• Potential for reduced university dependency among disadvantaged students

Key Statistics:

• UK 20-34 year olds living with parents: 24% (1996) → 32% (2019)
• Graduate salary premium at risk for multiple degree subjects
• All 35 O*NET occupational skills are achievable through AI collaboration

For More Information: Full research: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385038454_University_or_AI_ChatGPT_Skills_and_Employability

No 1517, 50 Ft road, Banashankari 2nd stage, Bangalore,

Media Contact: Maria Rosey, Founder, Techhoor Email: mariarosey@techhoor.com Website: https://techhoor.com/

Techhoor is a forward-thinking technology brand committed to delivering smart, stylish, and accessible tech products that elevate everyday life. Founded by Maria Rosey, Techhoor blends design and innovation to offer a curated selection of gadgets and accessories for modern consumers who demand both function and flair.

This release was published on openPR.