Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis says AI will replace jobs but create new ones. At SXSW 2025, he urges students to focus on STEM education, AI tools, and prepare for Artificial General Intelligence.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, it is bound to replace many traditional jobs, but it will also open the doors to new, highly valuable roles, says Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind. Speaking at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in London on Monday, Hassabis highlighted both the risks and opportunities that AI brings.
Despite rapid developments in AI, Hassabis emphasized the enduring importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. “It’s still important to understand fundamentals,” he said, referring to mathematics, physics, and computer science as core subjects to grasp how AI systems are designed and function, according to The Times of India.
The DeepMind chief noted that the rise of AI could have a greater impact than the Industrial Revolution, especially for those who are technically savvy and quick to adopt these emerging tools. These individuals, he said, will be best positioned to benefit from the new opportunities created by automation and AI advancements.
Hassabis also made a striking observation about the next generation. Today’s children, he noted, will grow up as “AI natives”, similar to how millennials and Gen Z grew up as internet natives. This means they’ll be naturally competent in working with AI tools from an early age, an essential skill as businesses are already using AI in diverse functions like coding, recruiting, and decision-making.
He encouraged students not just to rely on formal education but also to experiment with AI systems hands-on. “I’d be experimenting with all the latest AI systems and tools,” Hassabis said, urging young minds to explore practical, innovative ways of using these technologies.
Adding to the excitement, both Hassabis and Google co-founder Sergey Brin hinted at the possibility of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) AI that matches or surpasses human intelligence emerging within the next five years, potentially by 2030. The comments were made during Google’s recent I/O developer conference.
The SXSW festival, where Hassabis spoke, originated in Austin, Texas, and is known for celebrating innovations in music, film, and technology.
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