The Future of Liberal Arts in the Age of AI

For decades, liberal arts majors—English, history, philosophy—have been the butt of career jokes, often dismissed as impractical in a job market that values technical skills. But as artificial intelligence transforms knowledge work, could the humanities be more relevant than ever?

AI & the Changing Job Landscape

Automation is disrupting industries at breakneck speed. Paralegal roles, financial analysis, and even journalism are being reshaped by AI. Large language models write poetry, compose songs, and generate legal documents—tasks once reserved for human specialists. Yet, some experts argue that the very skills cultivated by liberal arts degrees—critical thinking, ethics, and adaptability—are more essential than ever.

The Case for Humanities in an AI World

Emily Todd, Dean of Arts & Sciences at Eastern Connecticut State University, emphasizes that liberal arts graduates will play a crucial role in AI-driven industries. They must learn to evaluate AI-generated content, recognize biases, and navigate ethical dilemmas.

Similarly, Robert Gibson of Wichita State University suggests that humanities graduates may have an edge over STEM graduates in an AI-saturated job market. With AI handling repetitive technical tasks, employers will need people who can interpret, question, and innovate.

Bridging the Gap: Education & AI

At Davos 2025, Joe Shelly, VP of Libraries at Hamilton College, underscored the invaluable role of librarians and humanities scholars in shaping AI ethics. Their deep understanding of information ecosystems makes them uniquely positioned to help students distinguish fact from fiction in an AI-powered world.

Shelly also noted that students no longer need to choose between passion and practicality—AI can be embedded in any discipline, making cross-disciplinary learning more viable than ever.

A New Era for Liberal Arts?

Rather than becoming obsolete, liberal arts may redefine their value in the AI era. As automation takes over technical execution, the ability to think critically, question assumptions, and craft narratives will be what sets individuals apart.

In an uncertain, AI-driven future, the most valuable skill may not be coding or automation—but the ability to think like a human.