Why you may want to reconsider a career in AI

NYU Stern's chief AI scientist emphasizes the cyclical nature of the tech industry and questions why AI jobs would be safer than other roles.

• Interest in AI careers is rising as AI-related roles grow in demand.
• NYU Stern's chief AI architect warns against chasing AI jobs because of tech's cyclical nature.
• Chief AI Conor Grennan suggests going after what you're good at and enhancing it with AI.

The AI job market is hot and it seems like everyone wants to get in on it.

Universities are creating new curriculums as these roles grow in demand, while people are signing up for boot camps and creating solo projects to skill up for the AI race.

But hopping on the AI job train may not be the smartest idea, NYU's Stern School of Business Chief AI Architect Conor Grennan told Business Insider. Grennan emphasizes the tech industry's cyclical nature and questions the long-term stability of AI jobs.

"The tech sector implodes from time," Grennan said, adding. "all of a sudden, there's no jobs in tech."

Grennan added that there's no "magic elixir" for stability in tech because the tech industry goes through hiring booms and layoffs like everywhere else — and he's right.

The tech industry has seen massive cuts over the last two years, with over 550,000 layoffs since 2022, according to online tracker Layoffs.fyi. Companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Tesla have slashed their workforces in multiple rounds of cuts.

At the same time, companies have been cashing in on an AI hiring spree as they restructure for the AI boom. But with companies like Microsoft and Amazon presenting lower-than-expected earnings reports last week, tech shares have taken a dip, and investors are concerned that the AI hype may be at a reckoning.

Grennan warns against chasing industries in general, and advises people to go with what they're good at. He said he strongly encourages MBAs to discover "their gift and passion" and then get trained on AI "so they can elevate the quality and efficiency of their work," regardless of the role or industry they choose.

While he recommends using tech, he doesn't believe people should drop their interests to work in tech just because it's having a moment right now.

"I really encourage people to think, 'What do you mean when you say you want a job in AI?' Because that's not what you're passionate about," Grennan said. "You're not passionate about coding and trying to figure out how these models work"

In fact, Grennan said "the beauty of this revelation" is not needing to know how the models work to use it to your advantage.

Grennan stressed the importance of jobs in marketing, operations, and other services that are still needed in the labor market. The tech sector also relies on these jobs to support their companies, Grennan said.

"People are thinking, 'Oh chase the hot new thing,'" Grennan said. "No, the hot new thing is going to enhance everything that you're passionate about."

"And that's what you want to be on the cutting edge of," Grennan added.