Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says artificial intelligence skills are becoming essential for young Americans entering a labor market that is changing faster than traditional education paths can keep up.
In a new Fox Business interview, Bessent says if he were starting out today, he would focus on becoming an AI native, drawing a parallel to how digital fluency gave college graduates an edge during the early internet era.
“I don’t know what job I would go into, but I can tell you, I would be trained up in AI. What college kids can do, if you remember during the internet boom and the aughts, is that they were digital natives. They were facile with devices, with machines, with the internet, like you and I never will be.”
Bessent says the same dynamic is now emerging around artificial intelligence, with younger workers uniquely positioned to help employers integrate new tools into their operations.
“So what I would do is become an AI native and make the value proposition to any employer: ‘This is how I can help you implement this program.'”
Addressing concerns that AI could shrink job opportunities, Bessent says the technology is more likely to reshape hiring than eliminate it outright. He points to conversations with executives who expect workforce needs to shift rather than disappear.
“I’m not afraid of AI. I had the CEO of one of the largest credit card companies in, and I said, ‘Tell me how seriously do you think AI is going to hurt your hiring.’ He goes, ‘No, we’re just going to hire in different areas. With customer service and maintenance, we’ll have fewer employees, but in content creation and other areas, AI is going to help us. We’ll hire more, and we’ll do a better product with highly trained people.'”
Bessent says the new reality in the job market makes college graduates with AI skills a hot commodity.
“So my message would be become an AI expert/native.”
The news comes as the New York Fed said that the slowdown in hiring due to AI was concentrated among jobs that require a college degree.
“Looking ahead, however, layoffs and reductions in hiring plans due to AI use are expected to increase, especially for workers with a college degree.”
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