Avinash Pandit says AI will force universities to rethink careers

Tomorrow, Today with Shekhar Natarajan has released a new episode featuring Avinash Pandit, who argues that AI will reshape white-collar work faster than universities can update curricula. The conversation focuses on the future of work, the limits of traditional degrees, and why adaptability may matter more than credentials. Why it matters: - AI is moving beyond software tasks and into knowledge-work jobs that have long been considered stable. - The shift could change how students choose degrees, how universities design programs, and how employers evaluate talent. - Pandit frames adaptability and continuous learning as more valuable than a single credential in a fast-changing labor market. What happened: - Tomorrow, Today with Shekhar Natarajan released a new episode featuring entrepreneur and education innovator Avinash Pandit. - The episode is now available on YouTube and major podcast platforms. - The interview examines AI, the future of work, and whether universities can keep pace with rapid technological change. The details: - Pandit says public debate around AI is still too focused on software development. - Pandit argues that consulting, marketing, operations, customer support and other white-collar fields may face major disruption as AI improves. - Pandit suggests AI is not just a workplace tool and may force organizations to rethink how work is structured and performed. - Pandit says many universities face a growing challenge in preparing students for jobs that may look very different by graduation. - Pandit questions whether traditional academic institutions can update curricula quickly enough to match workforce demand. - Pandit draws on experience at Infosys, Boston Consulting Group and OYO. - Pandit says missing admission to India’s IIT system reinforced the value of adaptability, practical experience and lifelong learning. - Pandit is the co-founder of Zenith, an institution focused on preparing students for careers shaped by artificial intelligence, innovation and changing workforce needs. - The episode also covers entrepreneurship, access to opportunity, and the growing value of networks, experiences and mentors. - Shekhar Natarajan said Pandit’s background across technology, consulting, entrepreneurship and education gives him a broad perspective on careers and the future of work. Between the lines: - The conversation reflects a broader anxiety in education: institutions can move slower than the technologies that are reshaping job markets. - The discussion also suggests that prestige-based career paths may matter less if AI keeps compressing the value of routine knowledge work. - The focus on networks and mentors signals that access and social capital may become more important as entry-level pathways change. What’s next: - The episode is expected to add to the debate over how universities should adapt curricula, teaching models and career preparation. - Pandit’s view points toward more emphasis on entrepreneurship, hands-on experience and ongoing skill-building. - Tomorrow, Today says the show will continue exploring artificial intelligence, education, leadership and other forces reshaping society. The bottom line: - Pandit’s core argument is blunt: the real question is not whether AI will change work, but whether people and institutions can adapt fast enough.