At the core of his concern: tech is rapidly reshaping the very entry-level roles that have long served as the first rung for college graduates.
“The speed at which AI is changing, we’re not adapting our society fast enough,” the 73-year-old added. “Really post World War II, the pathway to a white-collar job was a college education, and AI is going to disrupt many of those types of jobs.”
For Gen Z soon entering the workforce, it’s an early sign that the traditional first rung of the career ladder is starting to give way.
Despite the warning, Fink pushed back on the idea that college is no longer worth it at all—and he pointed to his own experience.
Still, he cautioned that the college-to-career pipeline is no longer universal, arguing that the traditional four-year degree is becoming just one of several viable paths to success.
“The key for life for everyone is to find their purpose,” Fink said. “For some people, their purpose will remain to get a four-year or advanced degree, and they could take that forward—but that’s not going to be the pathway for everybody.”
“[AI] is going to create many jobs and we’re not prepared as a society to fulfill those jobs,” Fink said. “And to me, this is a crisis.”
“AI is going to create a lot of skilled jobs needs and the biggest issue confronting our country today and other countries is the speed at which this change is occurring,” he added.
Fortune reached out to BlackRock for further comment.
Still, many CEOs are striking a more optimistic tone, framing the moment not just as disruption, but opportunity.
“If you ask them if they’re scared, they say they are. And I understand that,” Moynihan told CBS News earlier this year. “But I say, harness it … It’ll be your world ahead of you.”
