Google AI CEO Demis Hassabis: "If I Were a Student Now, I Would Study This

By Rahul

4 June 2025

Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry—from healthcare to finance, entertainment to space exploration. As AI accelerates at a breathtaking pace, students and professionals are wondering: **What skills should I learn to stay relevant in this AI-driven future?**

**Demis Hassabis**, the CEO of **Google DeepMind** and one of the world’s foremost AI pioneers, recently shared his advice for the next generation. In interviews and talks, he revealed what fields he would focus on if he were a student today—and why these areas will define the next decade of innovation.

In this article, we’ll explore:

✔ **Demis Hassabis’ career & why his insights matter**

✔ **His top 3 recommended fields of study for the AI era**

✔ **Why these skills will dominate the future job market**

✔ **How to start learning them today**

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## **1. Who Is Demis Hassabis? Why Should You Listen to Him?**

Before diving into his advice, it’s important to understand **why Hassabis’ perspective is so valuable**:

- **AI Pioneer:** Co-founded **DeepMind** (acquired by Google for $600M), the lab behind **AlphaGo, AlphaFold, and Gemini AI**.

- **Neuroscientist:** Holds a PhD in cognitive neuroscience from UCL.

- **Gaming Prodigy:** Former chess master and video game AI developer.

- **Google’s AI Leader:** Now heads **Google’s most advanced AI projects**, shaping the future of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence).

When someone with this background speaks about **the future of education**, it’s worth paying attention.

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## **2. Hassabis’ Top 3 Fields to Study in the AI Age**

### **1. Neuroscience & Cognitive Science**

**Why?**

- AI is inspired by the human brain. Understanding **how we think, learn, and solve problems** helps build better AI.

- Hassabis himself studied neuroscience to improve AI models.

- **Future applications:** Brain-computer interfaces (like Neuralink), advanced robotics, AGI.

**How to Start?**

- Take online courses (Coursera, edX).

- Study books like *"On Intelligence"* by Jeff Hawkins.

### **2. Computer Science + AI/ML Specialization**

**Why?**

- AI is built on **algorithms, data, and computing power**.

- Demand for **AI engineers, researchers, and ethicists** is skyrocketing.

- **Key areas:** Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, LLMs (like ChatGPT).

**How to Start?**

- Learn Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch.

- Free courses: Andrew Ng’s **"AI For Everyone"** (Coursera).

### **3. Ethics & Philosophy of AI**

**Why?**

- AI poses **huge ethical risks** (bias, job loss, deepfakes, autonomous weapons).

- Society needs **philosophers, policymakers, and ethicists** to guide AI’s impact.

- Hassabis has warned about **AI safety** and the need for regulation.

**How to Start?**

- Read **"Superintelligence" by Nick Bostrom**.

- Follow AI ethics debates (OpenAI, Google DeepMind’s research).

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## **3. Why These Skills Will Dominate the Future Job Market**

| **Field** | **Future Jobs** | **Salary Potential (2025+)** |

|--------------------|----------------|----------------------------|

| **Neuroscience** | AI Researcher, Neurotech Engineer | $150K - $300K |

| **AI/ML** | Machine Learning Engineer, AI Product Manager | $120K - $500K |

| **AI Ethics** | AI Policy Advisor, Ethics Consultant | $90K - $250K |

**Key Trends:**

✔ **AI + Neuroscience Merging:** Companies like **Neuralink, DeepMind, and Meta** are investing heavily.

✔ **Regulation Growing:** Governments need **AI policy experts** (EU AI Act, US AI Bill).

✔ **Hybrid Skills Win:** Combining **tech + ethics** makes you irreplaceable.

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## **4. Hassabis’ Warning: "Don’t Just Chase Trends"**

While Hassabis encourages studying AI-related fields, he also warns:

- **"Master the fundamentals first."** Math, logic, and critical thinking are timeless.

- **"AI is a tool, not a replacement for creativity."**

- **"Stay adaptable—the field evolves fast."**

His own career path (chess → gaming → neuroscience → AI) shows the power of **diverse skills**.

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## **5. How to Future-Proof Your Career (Actionable Steps)**

### **For Students:**

1. **Double Major:** Combine **CS + Neuroscience** or **AI + Philosophy**.

2. **Build Projects:** Contribute to **open-source AI** (Hugging Face, GitHub).

3. **Intern at AI Labs:** Google DeepMind, OpenAI, Anthropic.

### **For Professionals:**

1. **Upskill:** Get certified in **AI/ML (Google, IBM Coursera courses)**.

2. **Network:** Attend **AI conferences (NeurIPS, ICML)**.

3. **Specialize:** Focus on **AI safety, robotics, or bio-AI**.

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## **6. Final Verdict: What Should You Study in 2024?**

If **Demis Hassabis—a genius shaping AI’s future—were a student today**, he’d likely:

1. **Major in Neuroscience** (to unlock AGI’s secrets).

2. **Master AI/ML** (to build groundbreaking systems).

3. **Minor in Ethics** (to ensure AI benefits humanity).

**The bottom line?**

✅ **AI is the future—but it needs multidisciplinary thinkers.**

✅ **Combine tech skills with philosophy/neuroscience for an edge.**

✅ **Start learning now—the AI revolution won’t wait.**

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Google AI CEO Demis Hassabis: "If I Were a Student Now, I Would Study This