Choosing a Career in the Age of AI

May 22, 2025.

If you're in high school right now, you're probably asking yourself a hard question:

What should I do with my life?

More and more high schoolers are asking the same. And it’s no surprise. The world is undergoing a massive shift. Every few weeks, a new AI model launches—and with it, another part of the working world becomes automated, quietly and permanently.

Hospitals that once needed 10 radiologists, now need 3. Microsoft and Google say that over 30% of their code is now written by AI. Tesla’s factories and Amazon’s warehouses no longer look like the ones your parents imagined—most of the work is done by robots.

Jobs that once seemed stable — in healthcare, software development, logistics, manufacturing, and filmmaking — are being reshaped in real time.

So, what do you do with that?

You can’t just pick a “safe” major anymore. Because “safe” doesn’t mean what it used to.

The goal now isn’t to find a job AI won’t touch. It’s to build a life around what makes you human—your curiosity, creativity, and your ability to solve problems.

And, that starts with looking backward, not forward.

Here’s how I’d answer that—if I were a student today.

Step 01: Look Back — What Feels Like Art to You?

Before chasing a career, ask yourself: When was the last time you felt truly engaged while learning or building something?

What feels like art to you—something you’d do even if no one asked? What kind of work could you do without worrying about grades, money, or what others think? 

Reflect on your past. You’ll find at least two or three moments from your life that meet these criteria. Maybe, it was fixing your bike. Building a LEGO city. Binge-watching space documentaries. Maybe, it was building an app, a robot, or just asking better questions to your parents than your textbook could answer.

Write those moments down.

You’ll notice patterns—what problems excite you, what tools you gravitate toward, whether you love building, writing, designing, or fixing. These patterns aren’t random. They’re your raw materials—and they matter more than your GPA.  Not because they reveal your future job title, but because they reveal where you operate with peak creativity, discipline, and focus.

Want to succeed? Start there. These are the areas where you’re most likely to end up in the top 1%—not by chance, but by leaning into what comes naturally to you.

Once you’ve found those areas, move on to Step 2.

Step 02: Run Small Experiments

Now, take one of those areas and run a 90-day experiment. 

This summer is your window. Pick a real-world problem you care about—even a small one—and try solving it end to end. Maybe, it’s building a simple app. Maybe, it’s programming a robot. Maybe, it’s writing, filming, and editing a short documentary on something you love.

The format doesn’t matter. What matters is that it’s a real problem—and that you are able to solve it. As you build the solution, pay attention: What excites you? What drains you? Would you keep doing this even when it gets hard?

People think choosing a career happens in one big moment. But it doesn’t. You grow into your career—project by project, curiosity by curiosity. That’s how I found my way into networks, robotics, and AI. I didn’t plan it. I followed the problems I couldn’t stop thinking about.

One summer, I built a data center in a rented apartment in LA—just because I couldn't stop thinking how the Internet is wired. Later, that experience helped me build real systems for governments across the US, UK, and the Netherlands.

When robotics caught my interest, I built my first robots at home. Then, I moved to Silicon Valley and helped launch robots across the world.

The point that I want to highlight is: do what feels like art to you—not what feels like work.

Step 03: Reflect & Evaluate Your Path

After your 90-day experiment, ask yourself:

• Can I see myself doing this kind of work for the next 10 years?

• Does it make me happy—even when it gets hard at times?

• Is it something people need or are willing to pay for?

If the answer is yes to all three, you’re probably onto something. If not, go back to your list and try another area. You’ve got time. With each experiment, you’re not just testing ideas—you’re sharpening two rare skills: ideation and execution.

You’re learning how to solve real-world problems. And that’s a skill worth honing.

Step 04: Continuous Learning & Growth 

As you run these series of experiments, you will realize that no matter which field you choose, sooner or later you’ll need to understand the tools reshaping it. AI, robotics, autonomous systems—these aren’t niche skills anymore. They’re becoming the new infrastructure.

Want to build an app for the elderly? You’ll need to understand how AI can personalize their experience. Developing a device to monitor your pet? That’s hardware, sensors, and software working together.

Designing a 3D animated film? Today’s AI models can help you frame the perfect shot—whether you’re aiming for Casino Royale or How to Train Your Dragon. Whatever field you choose, these systems will shape the landscape around it.

Understanding them isn’t optional—it’s foundational.

But here’s the good news: You don’t need to major in AI. You just need to become someone who can learn systems—and keep learning, even as they evolve.

You may ask: Why?

The Truth About Every Field

Every field is being reshaped by AI. Doctors, lawyers, filmmakers, biologists, physicists, chemists—even musicians—none of these professions look like they did a decade ago. And in another decade, they’ll be reshaped yet again.

But that’s not a reason to panic. It’s a reason to adapt.

Because what will matter—regardless of the field you choose—is your ability to understand the systems shaping it. And today, those systems include AI and robotics.  From Hollywood to healthcare, Silicon Valley to pharmaceuticals, these emerging technologies aren’t optional anymore. They’re foundational.

You might ask: Okay, but where do I even start learning these new systems?

Where to Start

The internet is full of books, blogs, podcasts, and tutorials. That’s the good news.

The bad news? It’s overwhelming. It’s unstructured.  You can easily spend months diving into a deep sea of concepts and still feel lost.

That’s why we built Boring Sage. We teach emerging technologies—like AI, robotics, and autonomous vehicles—the way they should be taught. From first principles. With real-world applications. In a way that actually sticks.

The world is changing fast. If you get good at solving real problems, it will work in your favor.

Start small. Start now.

Whatever you do this summer—make it count.

Cheers,

Prathamesh

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, business, or legal advice. The experiences shared are based on past events. All opinions expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of any mentioned companies. Readers are solely responsible for conducting their own due diligence and should seek professional legal or financial advice tailored to their specific circumstances. The author and publisher make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of the content and expressly disclaim any liability for decisions made or actions taken based on this blog.