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The revenge of the philosophy majors
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A.I. labs are increasingly hiring philosophy majors for their critical thinking skills and unique perspectives. Robert Long, a philosophy enthusiast from Georgia, reflects on how his academic background has prepared him for exploring concepts like consciousness.
Summary from nytimes.com.
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Hacker News · nytimes.com
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Based on 5 sampled comments from this thread. Analyzed 2026-07-07.
- Praise: Philosophy majors are honing skills that are crucial for tech jobs, like clarity of thought and precise argumentation — a combo that's increasingly valuable in AI discussions.
- Praise: There's a recognition that the demand for philosophers with AI training is outstripping supply, suggesting a bright future for those who can bridge these fields.
- Concern: The reality check is stark: only about 20 philosophers work in AI labs, while thousands of software engineers dominate, raising questions about the actual demand for philosophy majors.
- Concern: AI has lured philosophy majors into a confusing landscape, with many ending up in roles that may not leverage their skills effectively.