Why Graduates May Need 10 Minors in the AI Age

Why Graduates May Need 10 Minors in the AI Age

AI can now do much of the research, coding, accounting, and admin work that once trained new graduates. So what makes a graduate worth hiring? Piyush Gupta, former CEO of DBS Bank and now chairman of the Singapore Management University (SMU) board of trustees, has offered an answer in a recent interview with The Straits Times: breadth over depth.

The Case for Many Minors Instead of One Major

Gupta argues that students should spread their learning across many disciplines rather than concentrate on one or two majors. Cross-disciplinary study, he suggests, builds the flexible thinking that AI tools can’t easily copy. When everyone can generate a draft, a model, or a summary in seconds, the advantage goes to people who can connect ideas across fields and judge what is actually useful.

Is the Graduate Premium at Risk?

A degree has long meant higher pay. Gupta points to a possible squeeze on this “graduate premium.” If graduates and non-graduates both use the same AI tools, employers may struggle to see what the degree adds. For universities, this is a challenge to prove that higher education builds something a chatbot can’t.

Beware of “Cognitive Debt”

Gupta also warns about “cognitive debt.” Workers who hand their thinking to AI may produce polished work while losing the ability to question it or spot its errors. For employers, this means:

• Assess the reasoning behind the work, not only the quality of the output.
• Build AI literacy without creating AI dependency.
• Hire for judgment, adaptability, and contextual understanding.

Don’t Ban AI, Teach With It

Gupta’s view is that universities shouldn’t ban AI. Instead, they should teach students to use it well, with critical thinking, interpreting information, and empathy at the center. He also supports more hands-on learning, such as internships and regional exchange programmes.

Companies Still Need Graduates

Despite heavy AI use, DBS continues to hire graduates. Gupta presents this as a long-term investment in the talent pipeline and a source of future leaders. Entry-level work may change, but organisations still need people who will grow into senior roles.

What This Means for Students and Employers

For students:

1. Learn AI tools, whatever your field.
2. Study widely and combine disciplines.
3. Practise questioning AI output instead of accepting it.
4. Build interpersonal skills and real-world experience.
5. Commit to lifelong learning.

For employers and HR teams:

1. Rethink graduate assessments around reasoning and judgment.
2. Redesign entry-level roles so juniors still learn the fundamentals.
3. Train staff to use AI without outsourcing their thinking.

Final Thoughts

AI isn’t making graduates obsolete, but it is raising the bar for what a graduate should offer. If Gupta is right, the winners will be those who combine broad knowledge, sound judgment, and human skills.

Source: Piyush Gupta’s interview with The Straits Times.