Demis Hassabis on AGI, AI Jobs, and Why Students Must Master AI Tools

At the Google I/O 2025 developer conference, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, made a striking forecast: Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could become a reality in less than a decade. Speaking on the future of AI and its impact on the job market, Hassabis emphasized the urgent need for young people—especially college students—to immerse themselves in AI technologies and become proficient in the tools that will define the next era of innovation.

Hassabis, who also leads the development of Google’s Gemini chatbot, believes that understanding and mastering AI tools will be crucial in a world facing rapid disruption. He encouraged students to adopt a mindset of "learning to learn", which he views as essential in adapting to the constant technological change that lies ahead.

In a separate discussion at the University of Cambridge, Hassabis echoed similar advice, telling students that adaptability and the ability to quickly grasp new concepts are critical survival skills for the modern workforce. "The world you’re entering will face an incredible amount of disruption and change," he told undergraduates, urging them to focus on how they learn best.

He highlighted emerging industries like AI, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and quantum computing as key opportunities over the next decade. Appearing on the Hard Fork podcast, he explained that while technological revolutions often disrupt jobs, they also create new, more interesting, and more valuable roles.

“Over the next 5 to 10 years, I think we’re going to find what normally happens with big new technology shifts, which is that some jobs get disrupted. But new, more valuable, usually more interesting jobs get created,” he said.

Hassabis called on Gen Alpha to embrace generative AI as early as possible, comparing its influence to how the internet shaped millennials and smartphones defined Gen Z. He urged students to aspire to become "AI ninjas", blending solid foundations in STEM with meta skills like creativity, resilience, and adaptability.

As Google rolls out powerful AI products like Veo 3, Hassabis’ message resonates louder than ever: those who understand AI—and know how to use it—will shape the future.