As the world races into an AI-powered era, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis has a powerful message for teenagers: start learning about AI now — or risk being left behind. Speaking on the Hard Fork podcast and at the recent Google I/O event, Hassabis emphasized that artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving and will significantly reshape the job landscape in the next five to ten years.
DeepMind, known for breakthroughs like the Gemini chatbot, is leading Google’s efforts to develop Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) — a form of AI with human-level reasoning capabilities. Hassabis believes AGI may be less than a decade away.
He described generative AI as the defining force for Gen Alpha, just as the internet was for millennials and smartphones for Gen Z. While AI will disrupt certain jobs, he noted it will also create newer, more interesting roles — especially for those who prepare early.
Hassabis encouraged students to immerse themselves in AI tools, become proficient in coding, and cultivate broader skills like creativity, adaptability, and resilience. He stressed that learning how to learn and embracing change will be key to thriving in the AI age.
While technical expertise remains important, Hassabis warned that many hard skills are already being handled more efficiently by AI. Instead, he urged students to develop “meta skills” and use their time in university to explore emerging technologies, experiment beyond textbooks, and stay ahead of the curve.
His core message: AI is already transforming the world — and those who understand and innovate with it will be best positioned for the future.
