This article is the second in a multipart series that examines how artificial intelligence has been changing many core aspects of college and student life.
With how fast AI is automizing many industries, school programs and certifications could become at risk of change or removal. Here are insights from students.
Julia Love-Blozvich, diagnostic assistant, described how AI is used in her program.
“Analytical AI takes our patient’s body demographics into account to calculate the amount of radiation administered,” she said. “My program couldn’t be completely automated due to the physical care aspect of patents. I’m sure other programs are more at risk, especially more technological programs.”
Eliza Burington, veterinary technician, shared her insight.
“I believe medical students are at less risk, since a machine cannot physically care for people or animals. The arts and data analysts are definitely more at risk of being removed,” she said.
From a faculty perspective, Tara Allen the coordinator of Marketing Management in the Business and IT department, discussed how AI can affect Kirkwood programs.
“I know that if I add something new to my curriculum it could always threaten another program. So, program coordinators are always looking to grow their programs and have this friendly competition to have students come to their program,” she said. “I think that you can have an abundance mindset versus a scarcity mindset. If I had a scarcity mindset, I’m going to try to keep everything to myself, and I’m not going to grow. If I have an abundance mindset, that there is room for all of us, we’re open to give and receive.”
A November 2025 study by Erik Brynjolfsson and researchers at Standford’s Digital Economy Lab found a 16% decline in early career employment across the most AI-exposed occupations since late 2022, when OpenAI’s ChatGPT was released.
The study estimates that the problem will continue to affect many young professionals as they begin their careers, but the long-term consequences are clear.
In response to this information, Alex Poplawski shared his thoughts.
“I think in the meantime it could look like AI is helping but eventually AI is going to start to taking jobs over,” he said.
Melody Blake, diagnostic assistant, provided in put on the topic as well.
“I think it is like the industrial revolution where people originally thought machines would take away jobs, but I think if we figure out what AI could work for us, it could be better overall,” she said. “That is only if the people working on the AI use it to make life better for us all rather than just making it easier.”
Allen discussed how adding AI could affect the job market.
“I think of AI as automation. Automation isn’t new. One example, my friend went to college to process checks and when digital imaging came out, those jobs got eliminated,” she said. “We need to know how to adapt and pivot.
“Maybe I got a degree that is no longer and that’s OK. A lot of us are working jobs that we did not get degrees for. I went to school for ethics, and here I am doing marketing.”
It is clear AI will have a significant impact on the economy as a whole. The job market feels uncertain to some as new technology advances.
If students do not know which jobs will exist and the very programs they attend may be reduced or eliminated, it can make choosing a program even more difficult for students.
Every program and certification is a financial and time investment. Students may be left wondering if AI is widening the educational gap between those who can only complete one program versus those who may be able to invest in multiple programs or skills.
Categories: Feature
