NotebookLM editorial director says humanities skills are rising in AI

Steven Johnson, editorial director of NotebookLM at Google Labs, highlights the increasing value of humanities skills in the AI industry. He notes that roles like "AI wrangler" are emerging, which require a deep understanding of AI models and their capabilities rather than coding expertise. Johnson emphasizes the importance of philosophical and psychological skills in addressing complex AI-related questions, citing Amanda Askell's work in AI alignment as an example. This shift suggests that humanities degrees, traditionally not associated with tech jobs, may become more relevant in the AI age.

While humanities skills are gaining prominence, technical skills remain crucial. Individuals from humanities backgrounds may need to enhance their technical knowledge to fully capitalize on opportunities in the AI field. Johnson himself, with a background in writing and startups, underscores the need for a blend of skills, suggesting that while technical expertise is necessary for certain tasks, a comprehensive understanding of AI models and their applications is becoming a valuable asset across industries.

Key takeaways:

Humanities skills, such as philosophical and psychological knowledge, are gaining value in the AI industry, as they help address complex questions around AI ethics and interactions.
The role of "AI wrangler" is emerging, requiring deep knowledge of AI models and their capabilities, without necessarily needing coding expertise.
While humanities skills are becoming more relevant, technical skills remain important, and individuals from humanities backgrounds may need to acquire technical knowledge to advance in AI roles.
Companies like Google and Anthropic recognize the value of a humanities degree, as it brings a creative and human-centric approach to AI applications.

NotebookLM editorial director says humanities skills are rising in AI

Key takeaways:

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