Ex-Google Exec Warns: Law and Medicine Degrees May Be Obsolete

Feb 13, 2026, 2:33 AM

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Jad Tarifi, the founder of Google's first generative AI team, has raised significant concerns about the future of higher education, particularly in fields like law and medicine. He argues that the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) could render these advanced degrees obsolete, suggesting that students may end up "throwing away" years of their lives pursuing them.

Tarifi, who holds a PhD in AI himself, contends that by the time students complete their degrees, AI will have advanced to a point where the skills learned in traditional educational settings will be outdated. He notes that even AI applications in fields like robotics will likely be resolved well before students finish their studies.

"AI itself is going to be gone by the time you finish a PhD," Tarifi told Business Insider. He believes that time could be better spent exploring more niche areas connected to AI or even skipping formal education altogether. He emphasizes that "higher education as we know it is on the verge of becoming obsolete," advocating for the cultivation of unique perspectives and emotional awareness over accumulating credentials.

The concerns raised by Tarifi echo sentiments shared by other tech leaders. For example, Mark Zuckerberg has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of college education in preparing students for modern job markets. He commented on a podcast that "I'm not sure that college is preparing people for the jobs that they need to have today," highlighting the pressing issues of student debt and the necessity for change in educational paradigms.

Moreover, OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman has asserted that AI models, particularly GPT-5, can perform tasks comparable to those of PhD-level experts. He remarked, "GPT-5 really feels like talking to a PhD-level expert in any topic," underscoring the rapid advancements AI has made.

Tarifi's warnings also extend to the medical field, where he argues that medical education is heavily reliant on outdated memorization techniques. "In the current medical system, what you learn in medical school is so outdated," he stated, suggesting that the lengthy commitment to obtaining a medical degree may not be worth the effort given the pace of AI advancements.

While there is still a robust pipeline from PhD to high-paying jobs in the tech sector—70% of AI doctoral students are now taking private sector jobs post-graduation—this trend has sparked fears among academic leaders about a potential "brain drain." They worry that the allure of high salaries in tech could deter scholars from contributing to academia, which is essential for nurturing the next generation.

Henry Hoffmann, chair of the University of Chicago's computer science department, noted that the financial incentives for PhD students are increasingly compelling. One student recently left their program to accept a "high six-figure" offer from ByteDance, demonstrating the growing disparity between academic pursuits and corporate opportunities.

As the landscape of education and employment continues to evolve, Tarifi's perspective encourages young people to rethink their paths. Instead of pursuing traditional degrees, he suggests focusing on interpersonal skills and self-awareness, which he believes will be crucial in a future increasingly dominated by AI.

In summary, as AI technologies progress at an unprecedented rate, the relevance of advanced degrees in law and medicine is under scrutiny. Tarifi's insights reflect a broader conversation about the future of education and the skills that will truly matter in a rapidly changing job market.

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