‘If you can’t beat AI, make AI’ - UTech student urges peers to adapt to changing technology

While the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked concern across industries worldwide, 21-year-old Carlton Bucknor, a third-year computer science student at the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica, is not losing any sleep over it.

"Rather than fear them, the best thing to do is know how to properly utilise them, integrate them into our society, and just adapt," Bucknor said confidently at UTech's annual employment and CO-OP ED internship fair on campus.

His calm approach stands in stark contrast to growing fears that AI will displace human jobs. Bucknor believes the key lies in staying flexible and expanding one's horizons.

"If I can't beat AI, join AI, make AI. Be the one who maintains AI. Don't just narrow your field of vision on one particular thing. You have to expand your horizons because computer science is a very broad degree," he said.

And for persons worried about limited job opportunities, Bucknor's advice is to keep evolving.

"If you realise you can't get a job in a particular field, expand your horizons," he said.

The Glenmuir High School alumnus was among scores of students who attended the univerity's annual employment and internship fair at the Papine campus last Friday. Held under the theme 'Advancing into the world of work to innovate and thrive - in the age of AI', the fair attracted 35 entities across various industries offers internship and job opportunities to graduates and students alike.

Charmaine Lewis, the university's career and placement officer, said she was thrilled to see the students seeking out the various opportunities.

"We've done a lot of work to prepare them. We had our employment sessions where professionals came in to help them gain the skills that AI cannot replace. So we're really excited to see what's happening here today," she said.

For Bucknor, the future of technology and his own looks promising. His lifelong fascination with computers and his adaptable mindset have set him on a path of continuous growth.

"Ever since I was young, I've always wondered what made software tick, why when I type A-B-C it comes up in a browser, or a [Microsoft] Word document. Studying computer science just felt like my calling," he said.

The UTech student has his eyes set on a future in software engineering or database administration, but is also open to exploring cybersecurity, a field he says Jamaica desperately needs to strengthen.

"The cybersecurity space in Jamaica is premature. We need a lot more people studying it and getting certified to help secure our businesses and corporations better," he said.