Next speaker of TEDexuzu 2025, the power of humanities. >> This is a picture of me and my grandpa. He passed away when I was 16 years old because of a rare disease that affects only one in 100,000 people.This was the first time I faced the death so directly. It has greatly changed my personality, making me withdrawn, quiet, even a bit defensive. For a long time, I refused to hear the word death because whenever I did, it would trigger me immediately, bring back all those memories, and I'll be unable to hold ...

Core Insights - The University of Colorado Boulder has introduced interdisciplinary courses that combine AI and humanities, leading to increased interest in liberal arts degrees like English, which had been declining pre-pandemic [3][5][7]. Group 1: Course Offerings and Student Interest - The course "Inclusive Interdisciplinary Data Science for All" allows STEM students to explore the ethics of AI while humanities majors analyze AI's impact on writing and self-identity [1][2]. - There has been a 9% increase in English majors at the University of Colorado Boulder since 2021, reversing a previous trend of decline [3]. - Other institutions, such as Rice University, have also seen growth in English class enrollment and faculty numbers in Creative Writing [11]. Group 2: Perception of Humanities Majors - The utility of English majors is being recognized as companies seek candidates with strong communication and soft skills, which are essential in a technology-driven world [6][7]. - Despite previous skepticism about the relevance of humanities degrees, there is a growing acknowledgment of their importance in fostering critical thinking and creativity [19][30]. Group 3: Employment Landscape - The overall hiring rate has slowed, affecting all graduates, including those with humanities degrees, leading to a higher unemployment rate for early-career humanities graduates compared to other fields [20][21]. - However, the unemployment rate for humanities and liberal arts graduates remains below post-2008 recession highs, indicating some resilience in the job market [28]. - Smaller firms are beginning to show interest in hiring candidates with humanities backgrounds, suggesting a potential shift in hiring practices as larger companies adopt AI tools [29][30].

Core Insights - The future of work will increasingly value uniquely human qualities, with AI augmenting rather than replacing human roles [1][4] - The integration of AI is expected to create more meaningful and high-productivity jobs, while reducing the need for technical expertise in coding [2][5] - Skills such as critical thinking, communication, and emotional intelligence will become more essential in the job market [4][6] Company Insights - Anthropic, co-founded by Daniela Amodei and her brother Dario, emphasizes the importance of hiring individuals with strong communication and emotional skills [1][4] - The company is focused on developing AI tools that complement human capabilities, rather than solely relying on technical skills [2][5] - Amodei's background in literature highlights the value of humanities education in understanding human behavior and fostering critical thinking [3][6] Industry Insights - The release of AI-coding tools has led to significant market reactions, indicating a shift in the tech landscape towards less reliance on traditional coding skills [2] - The emphasis on soft skills aligns with broader industry trends, as leaders like JPMorgan's CEO recognize the growing importance of emotional intelligence in the workforce [4] - The evolving job landscape suggests that while some jobs may be eliminated, new opportunities will arise for those equipped with the right interpersonal skills [5][6]

RT Megha (@megha_lilly)I recently finished reading an essay from a Columbia English Major recalling her experience of studying literature in modern academia. Her experiences recall being excoriated and receiving failing grades if she ever insinuated that an author revealed positive emotion toward a patriarchal structure or if a heterosexual love was not subverted to be “secretly queer”.It’s disgusting what they do in the humanities. I never formally studied the humanities and now I know I was saved from wat ...

So people are saying there's a problem with the humanities. Beloved subjects like classics, English, philosophy, history, they're all in crisis. My name's Nick Aar and I'm a professor of philosophy.So, I get to see this crisis close up. Um, it's it's a challenge and it's something that you can't overlook. I get to see the empty lecture theaters. I get to see the slightly depressed colleagues. I get to see the expressions on the faces of the unsupported politicians.Somehow the story got around that humanitie ...

Humanities & Education - The humanities are facing a decline, with a Yale student newspaper noting a 50% drop in humanities degrees in recent years [4] - A university in Canterbury's decision to stop offering English literature is lamented, raising concerns about the future of the discipline [4] - Students find meaning in life through relationships, doing good, hard work, and spirituality, aligning with ancient literature and AI-reviewed research [8][9][10] - Literature, like the Epic of Gilgamesh, offers tools for understanding existential questions and connecting with human history [7][13] - The word "palimpsest" is used as a metaphor for the humanities, where the old manuscript is being scraped away, questioning the future of the discipline [14][17] AI & Technology - AI is revolutionizing writing and superimposing itself on the legacy of thousands of years of the written word, questioning what it means for humans to create [18] - AI was consulted to conduct a literature review of empirical research about what humans report provides purpose or meaning in their lives [9] - Citations from ChatGPT were checked to ensure they were not hallucinated [10] Personal Reflection & Storytelling - The speaker shares their love for words and language, highlighting their power to connect us [4] - The speaker uses the word "palimpsest" from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" as a metaphor for the state of the humanities [14][15][16] - The speaker implores the audience to stay connected to human history and survey the purposes others have found, even if the humanities are not their calling [19]

Cultural Identity and Language - The text explores the impact of language and cultural identity on personal development, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals navigating different social and linguistic environments [1][2][3][4] - It emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in overcoming prejudice and xenophobia, drawing parallels between personal experiences of discrimination and broader geopolitical conflicts [15][21] Education and Critical Thinking - The text underscores the value of humanities education in fostering critical thinking, questioning assumptions, and promoting a deeper understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives [12][13][14][26][31] - It advocates for the "H factor," the imperative to ask "why," as a crucial tool for interrogating unjust policies and practices and resisting oppression [14][31][32] Personal Growth and Serendipity - The text illustrates how chance encounters and unexpected opportunities, or "serendipity," can shape one's life path and lead to personal and intellectual growth [8][9][25] - It highlights the transformative power of international experiences and cross-cultural interactions in challenging stereotypes and fostering a more nuanced understanding of the world [15][16][20] Geopolitical Observations - The text reflects on the changing geopolitical landscape, particularly the transformation of Russia and the importance of understanding historical context and cultural nuances in navigating international relations [15][25][30] - It expresses concern about the rise of authoritarianism and the erosion of free speech and access to education, emphasizing the need to safeguard these fundamental rights [30][31]