Even AI Companies Don’t Want Candidates that Only Know AI

Since the introduction of Gen AI into our daily lives, schools have been debating whether to go all in on AI or block it altogether. At first, many rejected it entirely, banning AI from classrooms. But over time, we saw a shift in schools starting to reconsider and look for ways to integrate AI into their curriculum and policies. Even now, some institutions sit at either extreme, fully embracing AI or refusing to allow it at all.

The challenge isn’t just about whether AI should be used. It is about how much is too much. Students need an education that balances AI with essential human skills. If the scales tip too far in either direction, something valuable is lost. Either the ability to adapt to technological progress or the fundamental skills that define us as human. We are also seeing a surprising shift, with some of the biggest AI creators telling new hires not to use AI in their applications. Even companies that champion AI adoption are drawing lines on its usage, emphasizing the importance of human-driven skills.

While we have previously argued that schools should incorporate AI ^[1], this post will explore the risks of AI dependence, its impact, and why schools must stay informed about industry trends to remain relevant and find the right balance.

Pitfalls of Going All In on AI

In the new age of AI, most are trying to figure out what the new norm will be. With big news coming in weekly and new tools and models being created daily, the question becomes: how and what is the best way to integrate AI into our lives, jobs, and education?

Relying entirely on AI has consequences, no doubt about it. The most common fear is that AI will take over jobs. But the reality is, AI is not replacing people. People who know how to use AI are replacing those who do not.

Some schools have recently discussed how their institutions are integrating AI across various disciplines while allowing faculty the flexibility to decide how to implement it. For example, American University Kogod School of Management wants to make the case that “AI Isn't Taking Your Job – But Someone Who Knows AI Will” [Watch video].

Others argue that since AI is too easy to use, it doesn’t really give students or job applicants any major advantage in the job market.
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While some tools are easy to pick up, they still require time and effort to use effectively. AI is not a five-minute skill as some might argue, but it does not compare to mastering the foundational skills of a particular field, the very skills that employers ultimately hire for. Not everyone has equal access either. Some AI tools are free, some are behind a paywall, and others are simply too expensive for the average user. 

Schools have a unique opportunity to bridge that gap. They can help students overcome these barriers and teach them how to use AI effectively. A Microsoft Research paper, "The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking", warns that if people only step in when AI fails, they lose opportunities to practice judgment and critical thinking, leaving their cognitive skills weaker over time.

“[...] users with access to GenAI tools produce a less diverse set of outcomes for the same task, compared to those without. This tendency for convergence reflects a lack of personal, contextualised, critical and reflective judgement of AI output and thus can be interpreted as a deterioration of critical thinking.” - Microsoft Research paper, "The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking", Page 2

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If students turn to AI for every task, their ability to think independently and solve problems on their own may suffer. Schools must ensure AI is used to support learning, not replace critical thinking.

Implications for the Job Market

According to a survey by CV Genius, 80 percent of hiring managers dislike AI-generated applications ^[2][3]. Many job seekers turn to AI tools to refine their resumes and optimize them for applicant tracking systems, but recruiters still want to see authenticity, effort, and human input.

Anthropic, the creator of Claude AI, made its stance clear ^[4].

It is only a matter of time before more companies follow suit. Beyond hiring concerns, major companies like Apple, Samsung, and Amazon have restricted AI use for employees due to data privacy and security risks^[5]. If AI use is not controlled, internal and user data could be exposed.

Even as technology evolves, human skills still matter. If companies truly wanted to go all in on AI, they would question hiring human labor as it may cost them more and be less efficient than AI agents. They would turn to those agents. And in some cases, that is already happening. AI-powered job roles such as AI Software Engineer, AI Sales Development Representative, and AI Lawyer are emerging. Almost every profession is seeing AI-driven alternatives.

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Implications for Schools

Education is one of the most important pillars of society, shaping the future workforce. Schools need to prepare students for the AI-driven job market, but that does not mean throwing human skills out the window.

Too much unrestricted AI use could lead to a decline in originality, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Students today already struggle with shrinking attention spans and rising ADHD diagnoses ^[6][7]. If they become too dependent on AI, they risk losing the ability to think critically and independently.

At the same time, avoiding AI altogether would leave students behind. In the future, AI literacy will be as basic as knowing how to use the internet or social media. Schools need to find a balance, teaching AI while ensuring students maintain unique, valuable skills of their own.

Hiring managers are looking for skills beyond AI assistance. Schools that fail to equip students with both AI knowledge and strong human skills will leave them at a disadvantage.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, AI is trained on human data, not the other way around. Humans are still part of the process. There is a certain irony in seeing one of the biggest AI companies tell applicants not to use the very tool they created. But their message is clear. Balance matters. 

There is a key difference between using AI to fully generate a piece, vs. using it to enhance what has already been created. AI enhancements still require some sort of effort and understanding while pieces fully generated by AI lack originality and show no real effort from users. Studies even show that while hiring managers prefer AI enhanced resumes, the majority of them would discard applications generated by AI ^[8][9].

Imagine a seesaw. When one side takes all the weight, the other gets stuck, and suddenly, it is not fun anymore. The same goes for AI. Rely on it too much and you lose authenticity. Avoid it completely and you risk falling behind. The real magic happens in the balance, where AI supports but does not replace, and where people stay engaged, educated, and in control.

Schools must integrate AI while preserving critical thinking, creativity, and originality. The challenge is not AI itself, but ensuring we use it the right way.

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