Is College Still Worthwhile? Yes, When It’s Tied To Experiences
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Articles and Resources of the Week
AI and Mobility: A Round-Up of Research on AI and the Future of Education and Work
Everybody is talking about the potential of new-gen AI to revolutionise the way we work—the jobs people do, the skills required, and what we need to learn for life and careers. Like any transformative technology, its adoption will create losers and winners, and how that plays out will have major implications for economic mobility and equity. Of course, no one can yet tell how everything will play out, but here is a really good roundup of research on AI and education+work provided by Work Shift.
Is College Still Worthwhile? Yes, When It’s Tied To Experiences
Higher education has long been considered the key to a prosperous future. But polls show that Americans’ confidence in the value of a traditional college degree is tumbling. Many are sceptical about the relevance of a college education in the 21st century. Families are concerned that years spent in lecture halls may not pay off in an era of rapid technological change. Some universities, like Drexel University, are pioneering a format called experiential learning, where knowledge is enhanced by hands-on practice that awakens passions and jumpstarts careers. A very similar concept in Germany is called ‘Dual Studies’ and has made IU one of the largest Edtech universities in Europe.
Amazon Announces ‘AI Ready,’ a New Initiative Designed to Provide Free AI Skills Training
According to a new study by AWS and research firm Access Partnership, 73% of employers say hiring AI-skilled talent is a priority—but among these, three out of four say they are unable to meet their AI talent needs. The study also found that employers expect their workers to earn up to 47% more in salaries if they upskill in AI. To address this need, Amazon released eight free courses to help adults upskill in AI and generative AI. Courses range from a variety of classes for business and non-technical audiences to developer upskilling.
Investment news
Cardiff-based startup Academii has raised £370,000 from business angels and the Wales Development Bank.
HappyPal has raised €7m in a Series A funding round led by Educapital, with continued support from existing investor Anthemis.
Jobs in Edtech
La Solive is hiring a B2B Business Developer (Paris).
Ucademy is looking for a Lead Teacher & Educational Program Coordinator (Madrid).
Ornikar is hiring a Head of CRM (Paris).
Sdui is looking for a Content Writer (Germany/remote).
Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed it, share it with your friends, colleagues and everyone interested in the European Edtech ecosystem.
Stay curious,
Hannes