AI & Tech Disrupting Traditional Degrees

Global Ed
December 19, 2025


No questions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology are indeed disrupting traditional degrees and changing how students across India plan their careers.

According to Demand Sage, the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education market is expected to reach $7.57 billion by the end of 2025, with a growth rate of approximately 38.4% in just one year. It’s pretty clear that the way we learn and find work is changing.

As far as Indian students are concerned, this change is really important. It’s no longer enough to simply obtain a degree and rely on it solely for employment. In fact, more and more employers want candidates with practical skills and technical knowledge.

So, how can you cope with this shift in job market demands? Is Artificial Intelligence a disruptive technology? Let’s check out all you need to know about AI in education.


Role of AI and Technology in Changing Higher Education


The ultimate goal of AI in education is not to replace the human element, but to make the learning environment much more effective for students and teachers. And here’s how Artificial Intelligence (AI) does that:

Personalized Learning Through Adaptive Systems

Traditional classrooms often follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach. But AI tools can adapt to each student’s learning speed and style.
It works through advanced systems that analyze how students interact with the content (how long it takes, how many mistakes they make, and how often they repeat topics). The platform uses this information to change the difficulty of questions or suggest content that is more relevant to the user.
Take the case of Byju’s and Coursera. Both apps have AI-driven modules that suggest personalized exercises for students who are having trouble with certain math concepts.
So, students never fall behind as that of big classrooms. They get personalized learning paths that a regular degree can’t always give them.

AI-Powered Feedback

The workload of teachers is pretty under-discussed. According to a McKinsey study, teachers work about 50 hours a week. Most of them manage forty to fifty students per classroom. So, it’s pretty impossible to give on-time, personalized feedback.
But guess what? The same study suggests that 20 to 40 percent of what teachers do today can be automated with the current technology. Feedback is one such activity.
That’s where we consider Artificial Intelligence as a disruptive technology in education. AI-powered systems can:

  • Grade tests and essays
  • Use NLP to give you detailed feedback on your writing style, grammar, and overall structure
  • Help teachers see patterns in the performance of the whole class, so they can change their lessons on the spot to clear up common areas of confusion

Did You Know?

At Georgia State University, an AI chatbot called Pounce reduced summer melt (students dropping out before the first semester) by over 20% by simply answering routine student questions 24/7.

Virtual Classrooms and AI Tutors

Several Artificial Intelligence and technology courses are already using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tutors to support learners after class hours. They:

  • Work around the clock
  • Give immediate answers
  • Make learning more interactive

Georgia Tech’s Jill Watson, an AI teaching assistant, is a great example of this. Jill Watson successfully answered thousands of student questions in online classes, especially within Artificial Intelligence and technology courses. It’s no wonder that this new experiment has led to higher student satisfaction and academic performance.

Breaking Down Language Barriers

Let’s accept it. One of the biggest barriers in pursuing AI degrees and courses abroad is the language barrier. Many Indian students find it difficult to adjust to fast-paced lectures in local accents, even after clearing the required ELTs (English Language Tests). Have a look at how AI and technology address such problems:

  • Google Translate with speech recognition and some AI-powered transcription apps support instant captions in regional languages to help students follow along with the class
  • Several academic support tools are available to break down the academic jargon
  • Auto-grammar checker and tone refinement tools like Grammarly to let you communicate easily

Fun Fact

AI language learning is getting incredibly specific! There’s now an AI-powered camera device called Dex that can instantly translate objects into 34 different dialects. Children just point, click, and learn. So, language learning is now as easy as taking photos!

4 Best Modern Higher Education Options


AI and technology are indeed disrupting traditional degrees, and that’s why students in India are increasingly turning toward skill-driven options. Have a look at some such flexible alternatives that are gaining momentum:

1. Micro-Credentials:

A micro-credential is a digital badge or certificate obtained from a short-term course. It serves as proof of a specific skill. These are often checked for authenticity using digital badges that use cryptographic keys and, in some cases, even blockchain technology to make sure they can’t be faked. This makes them very easy to check, and companies trust them.

2. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses):

Top universities now open their classrooms to the world through MOOCs, and millions of Indian students are logging in. The best part about this modern option is that you can access lectures from top institutions like Harvard, Oxford, MIT, etc., without leaving India.

3. Bootcamps:

Bootcamps take years of learning and turn them into weeks of intense, hands-on training. Employers often value the practical focus behind these programs.

4. Apprenticeships:

Learning directly from the workplace is becoming as valuable (perhaps more valuable) as formal classroom training. As it’s a paid opportunity, you can cover living costs while studying. This can be really helpful if you study in the USA, Canada, Australia, or any other top-tier abroad country.

Challenges of Modern AI and Technology Alternative Education


The truth is that not all alternative pathways are smooth. Over the past few years, many Indian students who’ve experimented with the new educational alternatives to degrees have faced many challenges, like:

Lack of Standardization and Quality

Unlike universities with accreditation boards, there is not much regulation in boot camps and other such alternatives. So, the quality can change dramatically.

There are some bootcamps that are great and have high job placement rates, but there are also some that can be misleading. Unfortunately, it’s pretty hard to find genuine options.

No Structured Learning

A degree program has semesters, professors, and a step-by-step curriculum. But with alternative education:

  • You often have to make your own plan for how to learn
  • Most online AI platforms offer personalized classes and suggestions. But none of them still can’t replace a human tutor.
  • Students sometimes learn very narrowly, like machine learning, without building the basics, like math, logic, and programming. Without grasping these basic skills, you may struggle with problem-solving.

Limited Networking Opportunities

Let’s be honest. Half the value of college studies comes from the people you meet. With other options:

  • You can’t connect with other students in the same way as in traditional colleges
  • There are often no career fairs, alumni networks, or campus placements

In short, you might learn skills, which is great. But you will miss the global connections that lead to attractive job offers.

Self-Motivation and Discipline

Traditional degrees have mechanisms like exams, submission deadlines, and professors to lead you in the right direction. But alternatives rely entirely on you.

It seems easy, but it’s the hardest. You need to find study materials, project guidance, reliable resources, and stay motivated without external pressure.
Due to this non-accountability nature, dropout rates for MOOCs and online AI courses are very high.

Fast-Changing Technology

No doubts, you’re now learning the most in-demand job-market topics today. But will those still be in demand tomorrow? What if the trend shifts and the skills you spent months learning lose their relevance overnight? This is the harsh reality of fast-changing fields, Artificial Intelligence and technology courses.

The concept of constant re-learning sounds good on paper, but in practice, it can be exhausting and even non-practical. Without a strong degree foundation, this constant sprint can leave you burnt out rather than career-ready.

Why Traditional Degrees Will Stay Forever?


It’s true. AI and technology are changing the flow of higher education. But traditional degrees aren’t going anywhere. Here’s why:

  • A degree shows that you can stick with something for three to four years. Employers love that discipline.
  • A bootcamp certificate might help, but if you’re aiming to set up a career abroad, degree matters. Most countries have set a degree as a mandatory requirement to get a work permit. Similarly, some top MNCs also prefer candidates with study abroad degrees.
  • The people you meet in college, especially if you study in the UK, Canada, or any other top study abroad destinations, are worth half of what you learn. That network often helps people find jobs, get mentors, and even start their own businesses. You don’t usually get that from online courses.
  • Law, medicine, research, teaching, engineering, and other such regulated professions have set degree as a prerequisite. You can’t bypass that with an online badge.
  • AI and technology trends change quickly. But degrees are your anchor. Even if a skill becomes less useful, your degree will always give you credibility.

5 Top Practical Tips for Indian Students in 2026


The world is moving fast, and as an Indian student, you need to be strategic. That doesn’t mean to pick one path over the other. You must strike a balance between both instead of viewing artificial intelligence as a disruptive technology in education. Check out five practical tips tailored for Indian learners in 2026:

Be a T-Shaped Professional

Don’t be a generalist or a specialist; be both. That’s what we call the T-shaped model. The vertical bar of the ‘T’ stands for your core skill, which is the area in which you have the most experience and knowledge. It could be something very relevant right now, like:

  • Data analytics
  • AI
  • Digital marketing
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Cybersecurity

The horizontal bar shows that you know a lot about a lot of different things. You need both to be successful in any profession.

Take the case of artificial intelligence and technology courses. They are great for preparing for some specific tasks. But they can’t see how they fit into the bigger picture. An AI model can make code for a website, but only a person with adequate knowledge of design and user psychology can finally make it useful.

Balance Alternative Learning With Accredited Degrees

Short-term artificial intelligence and technology courses are fantastic for upskilling. But to set up a foundation, you need time. And that’s where the relevance of traditional degree options comes in.

Companies still see a degree as proof of consistency and discipline. According to a Forbes report, 81% of employers believe getting a college degree today is worth it, despite the money and time needed.

So, it’s always better to take a hybrid approach. First of all, focus on acquiring a relevant degree from a top university in the world, possibly from abroad to access the benefits of international networking. Then, stack up online credentials to show adaptability.

Build a Portfolio

A resume just shows your academic credentials. It’s a portfolio that shows what you can bring to the table. Here’s how to build a portfolio:

  • Programmers and data scientists: Host your projects on GitHub and include detailed READMEs. You could show off your data analysis work on sites like Kaggle or make a simple web app that solves a problem in the real world.
  • Marketers: Use a site like Behance or your own website to show off case studies. Clearly mention what the problem is, how you solved it, and what the result was.

Learn AI Collaboration and Prompt Engineering

These days, it’s no longer about knowing every answer. What really matters is knowing how to ask the right questions. That’s what we call prompt engineering. It’s the skill of communicating with AI models to get the best results.

Check out how to learn it from scratch:

  • You can learn by experimenting with free AI chatbots. Treat them as your practice ground to test different prompts and note how the responses change.
  • Maintain a notebook or digital doc where you record prompts you tried, what worked, and what didn’t. Over time, you’ll build your own playbook.

Fun Fact

You can make this prompt journal a product. Many creators have sold their AI playbooks online, with some making thousands of dollars. Who knows? You might even earn enough to pay for your Harvard tuition if yours is good enough!

  • Study how AI career professionals use prompts in marketing, coding, or content creation. Many online case studies are available.
  • Look for specialized artificial intelligence and technology courses that include prompt engineering modules. A formal path keeps your learning organized.

 

Always Stay Updated

Things change so quickly that what you learn today will be out of date in a few years. So, the best skill you can have is to ‘unlearn and relearn’. Have a look at how to do that:

Approach What To Do
Micro-learning Consume short content every day through Reels, Shorts, newsletters, blogs, etc.
Project-based Build practical projects every month, related to your industry
Certifications Earn specific credentials on new emerging skills through platforms like Google, IBM, Infosys, LinkedIn Learning, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


1. Will AI make my chosen career obsolete?

No, AI and technology are more likely to change your job than to replace it completely. In fact, it is a powerful tool that takes care of boring tasks for you so you can focus on more interesting, creative, and strategic things.

2. Can short AI courses replace a full degree?

Not completely. Short courses help you get better at what you do, but a degree gives you the knowledge base to sustain in the field.

3. Are degrees abroad better than those in India?

Both have strengths, but study abroad gives you access to global research, industry tie-ups, and networking opportunities. It’s pretty hard to expect all those from a developing country like India.

4. What careers open up after AI degrees and courses abroad?

Artificial intelligence and technology courses open up many job opportunities, such as data scientist, AI researcher, prompt engineer, Machine Learning (ML) specialist, etc.

Conclusion


The debate isn’t really about whether AI and technology will replace traditional degrees. They won’t, at least not completely. What’s happening right now is a silent rebalancing.

And for Indian students, combining both rather than ditching one to pick another is best. You must have short courses to stay ahead of trends. However, a degree, especially from a reputed university, is always the backbone of your career. You still need the traditional pathway for credibility, networking, and a foundation strong enough to survive shifting trends.

If AI excites you, you can even explore some of the world’s best universities offering Artificial Intelligence degrees, like the University of Cambridge (UK), Monash University (Australia), RMIT University (Australia), University of Waterloo (Canada), and so on.

And if you’re already considering this path, remember guidance matters. Talking to the right people can save you from trial and error. That’s where partners like The Chopras – TC Global come in.

As one of our country’s best study abroad consultants, we’ve helped millions of students figure out the right courses abroad for a stable career.

Book a free consultation now to get a personalised plan!



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