Is It Worth Doing an MA in the Era of AI?
Why advanced degrees still matter and how they're being redefined for a world of AI
Should You Go Deeper, Or Just Get Faster?
Once, a master’s degree was the gold standard for career advancement. Now? You’ve got AI tools writing reports, summarizing research, and even generating lesson plans in seconds. So why spend one or two more years (and a chunk of money) on a graduate degree?
Because depth still matters—especially in a world obsessed with speed. And because the best MA programs today are no longer about “more of the same.” They’re about transformation.
AI Is Making the Surface Level Obsolete
AI can generate average. It can draft blog posts, solve equations, and even write code. But the minute you need nuance, originality, or meaning, you need a human.
An MA is where you stop skimming and start sinking into the complexity that AI can’t replicate.
The MA Is Was Academic, Now It’s Strategic
Modern MA programs are increasingly career-driven. You’ll still read big ideas and write long papers, sure—but you’ll also build professional networks, tackle real-world challenges, and develop specialized knowledge that keeps you relevant.
Think of it less as “school” and more as a strategic investment in your leadership capacity.
Some Fields Demand More Than a BA, and Now More Than Ever
If you’re in education, public health, psychology, biotech, law, or policy, a master’s degree is becoming the baseline. In fact, as AI takes over the repetitive tasks, the demand is growing for people who can think big, connect the dots, and see the ethical and societal implications of technology.
A Master’s Degree Isn’t About Beating AI, It’s About Leading It
The most exciting MA programs today are at the cutting edge:
- AI and ethics
- Human-AI collaboration
- Data storytelling
- Tech policy and regulation
These aren’t about avoiding AI—they’re about shaping the way we live with it.
Your Real ROI: Confidence, Credibility, and Community
Yes, you’ll graduate with a diploma. But what you really gain is something harder to quantify:
- Confidence to lead
- Credibility in your field
- Community with peers who think, push, and grow alongside you
In an era of instant everything, this depth is both rare and powerful.
An MA in the Age of AI Is a Power Move
"The MA is the first taste of serious research work," says Professor Yaniv Fox, Head of AI Initiatives and Vice Dean of Humanities. It is a place to wrestle with innovation, learn the ‘tools of the trade’, and show yourself that you can do it. A PhD is a more serious commitment and having an MA thesis under your belt better equips you to handle it.
If you want to stay safely average, maybe you don’t need an MA. But if you want to specialize, to lead, to understand and shape the world AI is creating—then yes, it’s still worth it. In fact, it might be more valuable than ever.