Founders of AI startups in Silicon Valley are valuing degrees less and seeking out candidates who can work quickly, adapt, and build AI models.
Li, also the founding codirector of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute, said she values candidates’ experience and relationship with AI tools more than their educational background.
“Now, it’s more about what have you learned, what tools do you use, how quickly can you superpower yourself in using these tools—and a lot of these are AI tools,” she added. “What’s your mindset toward using these tools matter more to me.”
When discussing the broader impacts of AI on education and the labor market, Li said assessing qualified workers used to rely on which school job candidates graduated from and the degree they earned. But “that will be changing with AI being at the fingertip of so many people,” she said.
For her own talent acquisition, Li added that she wouldn’t hire software engineers who don’t “embrace AI collaborative software tools.” She explained this requirement is not because she believes AI software tools are perfect, but because she believes they show a person’s ability to grow with fast-moving technologies and to use AI to their own benefit.
Li’s view of AI skills and their value proposition compared with college degrees echoes a similar sentiment from other leaders in the industry.
As more tech leaders seek AI-fluent candidates, Li looks for those who can help realize her company’s mission.
“It’s so important that people from all backgrounds feel they have a role,” Li said.
