#Futureskills

The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in workplaces around the globe is reshaping the job market for recent graduates, raising concerns among students, educators, and policymakers alike. While some had hoped AI would open new fields and boost productivity, mounting evidence suggests it is rapidly limiting traditional entry-level opportunities for graduates, particularly in white-collar roles, and is sparking a growing debate over the future of work for the next generation (FT.com, WSJ, Business Report).

A global shift toward automation and AI is reshaping entry-level opportunities for new graduates. While technology promises higher productivity, it also redefines roles, especially in white-collar fields. For Thai readers, universities and policymakers face a critical question: how to prepare students for an AI-enabled economy.

Research shows AI is increasingly used to automate routine tasks, data synthesis, and basic content creation. In practice, many entry-level roles are being redesigned or replaced, prompting employers to adjust hiring priorities. Recruiters report slower demand for junior staff in sectors that once relied on fresh graduates, as AI handles tasks previously done by new hires. This trend spans multiple countries and industries.

The latest research on creativity highlights a groundbreaking insight: fostering cross-domain thinking can transform ordinary minds into highly innovative ones, reshaping how parents and educators approach children’s learning. According to a new feature in Psychology Today, experts are now urging a shift from traditional, siloed education towards cultivating abilities that span multiple fields, arguing that this approach mirrors the habits of the world’s greatest thinkers and inventors (Psychology Today). This revelation holds significant potential for Thailand, where educational reform and national innovation are pressing priorities.

A growing body of research shows that cross-domain thinking can unlock extraordinary potential in children. Moving away from siloed lessons, students who blend ideas from art, science, math, and literature develop stronger creativity and adaptability—traits that are in high demand in today’s workforce. This approach holds particular promise for Thailand as the country pursues educational reform and national innovation.

Cross-domain thinking means connecting knowledge and patterns across diverse fields and applying them to new problems. While many classrooms separate subjects, the cross-disciplinary method mirrors the habits of history’s greatest innovators who drew inspiration from multiple domains. Cognitive science suggests that this blending strengthens neural pathways linked to divergent thinking and flexible problem-solving.

A recent opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal—titled “AI’s Biggest Threat: Young People Who Can’t Think”—has sparked intense debate across global education circles and among Thai educators. The article raises urgent concerns that artificial intelligence (AI), while transformative, may expose and even accelerate a crisis of eroding critical thinking skills among today’s youth. The implications reverberate beyond technology, stirring questions for education systems in Thailand and across the world about how to prepare the next generation for an AI-dominated future.

A growing debate over AI and education is shaping how Thailand prepares its students for an AI-powered future. A recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece warned that AI could magnify a crisis in critical thinking among young people, not by outpacing humans in math, but by dulling the analytical and creative muscles that drive innovation. For Thai educators, policymakers, and parents, the question is how to balance technology with robust thinking skills in a rapidly digitizing classroom landscape.

As Thailand follows global trends in technology and education, startling new research from the United States points to a dramatic shift in what once seemed a guaranteed path to prosperity: a degree in computer science. After two decades of surging interest and swelling enrollments, the once-booming computer-science major appears to have peaked. For Thai students and families seeking the best choices for higher education and employability, the unfolding story in America offers timely warnings and vital insights.

A new wave of research from the United States signals a pivotal shift in the job market once deemed a guaranteed path to prosperity: a computer science degree may no longer be the universal ticket it once was. After years of rapid growth, US university enrollments in computer science have slowed dramatically. For Thai students and families weighing higher education choices, the developing story offers timely lessons on employability and long-term resilience.

Imagination is more than daydreaming; it drives innovation, memory, art, and problem-solving. New research outlines five key tests that help us understand the full range of imaginative ability. These tests show why some people experience vivid mental scenes while others picture ideas more abstractly. This shift toward measurable imagination could transform education, mental health support, and creative industries in Thailand.

In Thailand, the implications are meaningful. As classrooms adopt more creative thinking strategies and the arts contribute to tourism and cultural pride, having evidence-based tools to nurture imagination becomes essential. Imagination is not just a talent for artists; it is a learnable set of skills that benefits learners, educators, and workers in a digital economy.

A new wave of research is transforming how we understand imagination—an essential human capacity behind innovation, memory, art, and problem-solving. According to a recent article in New Scientist, scientists now have five key tests that allow us to measure and appreciate the full scope of our imaginative powers, revealing why some people experience vibrant mental movies, while others may only summon faint outlines or abstract concepts when picturing memories or future scenarios (New Scientist).

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly revolutionising industries, the chief product officer at Microsoft has urged students worldwide, including those in Thailand, to continue prioritising computer science and coding education. Her remarks challenge growing beliefs that software engineering may soon become obsolete due to AI’s accelerating capabilities, underscoring that computing skills remain essential for the next generation of Thai professionals.

The comments, made during a recent episode of “Lenny’s Podcast” and reported by Business Insider, directly refute notions that traditional programming will soon be unnecessary. The Microsoft executive, who oversees consumer and enterprise technology experiences, emphasized, “A lot of folks think about, ‘Oh, don’t bother studying computer science or coding is dead,’ and I just fundamentally disagree.”

A senior executive at Microsoft has urged Thai students to keep prioritising computer science and coding education, even as artificial intelligence reshapes industries. Her message counters rising fears that software engineering could become obsolete as AI advances. Computing skills remain foundational for Thailand’s next generation of professionals.

The executive spoke on a recent episode of Lenny’s Podcast, emphasizing that many people believe coding is dead. She argued that this view is fundamentally wrong and stressed the enduring value of computer science as a way of thinking and problem-solving. Her comments align with Thailand’s ongoing push to strengthen tech literacy across schools and universities.

Generative artificial intelligence is no longer a novelty in classrooms. Across the United States, teachers increasingly view AI as a vital educational tool rather than a nuisance. This shift holds lessons for Thailand as AI reshapes teaching and learning in global classrooms.

Since tools like ChatGPT emerged in education, schools have moved from blanket bans to thoughtful, strategic use. Early concerns around cheating, misinformation, and disruption gave way to policies that promote ethical integration and targeted AI literacy. A Bangkok-friendly takeaway is the importance of vetting tools, safeguarding student privacy, and tailoring software to fit age-appropriate learning.

Generative artificial intelligence, once viewed with suspicion and outright bans in schools, is now increasingly seen as a vital educational tool by K-12 teachers across the United States, according to the latest reporting and research. This evolution from nuisance to necessity signals a pivotal moment in education, with implications and potential lessons for Thailand as AI reshapes global classroom practices. (washingtontimes.com)

The discussion around AI in primary and secondary education has matured rapidly since 2022, when tools like ChatGPT first appeared on the academic scene. Initially, schools and teachers were quick to ban generative AI platforms due to fears of increased cheating, misinformation, and a perceived threat to traditional pedagogies. However, facing the realities of digital transformation, educators soon realized that AI technologies could be harnessed for positive learning outcomes—if they were strategically and ethically integrated into curricula.