Elon Musk has warned that artificial intelligence and robotics will render most human job skills obsolete, yet he still supports his children pursuing college education—primarily for the social and broad learning experiences it offers. In a recent conversation with investor and podcaster Nikhil Kamath, posted on Sunday, Musk described the coming wave of AI as a "supersonic tsunami," calling it the most transformative change humanity has ever faced. He predicted that within less than two decades, work as we know it could become optional. "My prediction is, in less than 20 years, working will be optional. Working at all will be optional," Musk said. Even his technologically savvy children, he noted, acknowledge that their current skills may soon be outdated by AI advancements. Still, they choose to attend college. Despite his well-known skepticism about traditional higher education—having previously dismissed college as "not for learning" but rather a way to prove one can "do your chores"—Musk offered a more nuanced view in this conversation. He emphasized that college isn’t necessarily about acquiring technical skills, but about personal growth and connection. "If you want to go to college for social reasons, I think that's a reason to go—to be around people your own age in a learning environment," Musk said. He encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects, regardless of career relevance. This stance reflects a growing tension in education and the workforce. While AI threatens to automate many tasks, experts argue that the real challenge lies in rethinking how learning happens. Steven Mintz, a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin, told Business Insider that AI hasn’t made education obsolete—it has exposed how shallow and rigid much of it already is, demanding urgent reform. Similarly, Anastasia Berg, an assistant professor of philosophy at UC Irvine, has warned that overreliance on AI is weakening foundational cognitive abilities, leaving younger professionals dependent on digital assistance even for basic reasoning. Experts agree that the future belongs not to those who avoid AI, but to those who can master it. James Ransom, a research fellow at University College London, advises Gen Z to focus less on job titles and more on understanding the core tasks within roles—then learn how to manage and scale AI effectively. Mark Cuban believes students who learn to use AI critically will become sharper thinkers and better leaders. Finance veteran Quentin Nason adds that with entry-level positions shrinking and AI reshaping hiring, young people must prioritize real-world skills like entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and problem-solving—competencies that AI cannot easily replicate.