Beyond the Algorithm: Why Philosophy Matters in the Age of AI

As artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, one field may be becoming more valuable in the job market than many students expect: philosophy.

For students considering a philosophy degree, questions about career prospects are nothing new. Philosophy majors do not typically graduate and become professional philosophers. Instead, they have long taken the critical thinking, analytical reasoning and communication skills developed through their studies into fields such as law, business and other professions. Now, as artificial intelligence changes the skills employers need, that versatility is gaining renewed attention.

According to Seton Hall philosophy professors Travis Timmerman, Ph.D., and Amelia R. Kahn, Ph.D., the rise of AI is creating new opportunities for students trained to think critically about complex questions.

Timmerman explained that the value of philosophy is becoming more directly recognized as companies increasingly identify philosophical training as useful to their work. Philosophy students develop strong critical reading and writing abilities, allowing them not only to use AI tools but also to evaluate whether an AI-generated response accomplishes its intended purpose, and determine how it can be improved.

Kahn similarly pointed to new types of work emerging alongside AI, particularly positions involving the regulation, oversight and responsible implementation of these technologies. As AI becomes capable of performing more tasks traditionally associated with white-collar work, distinctly human abilities such as judgement, reasoning and ethical decision-making may become increasingly important.

Where Philosophy and Technology Meet

While computer science and philosophy may initially appear to occupy very different areas of study, Timmerman emphasized that their approaches can complement one another.

Philosophy students, for example, may study both formal and informal logic, learning to apply rigorous forms of reasoning to questions that are not necessarily mathematical. Computer scientists approach problems with another valuable analytical skill set. Bringing these perspectives together can provide AI teams with different ways of examining the same problem.

Kahn noted that philosophical thinking is valuable not only for the teams developing new technologies, but also for those deciding when and how those technologies should be used, as they must consider the potential consequences of their decisions.

AI systems have the potential to cause significant harm when those questions are overlooked. Philosophical training can help professionals examine those risks, question assumptions and consider the ethical implications of technological decisions before they are implemented.

In fact, many of the biggest questions surrounding AI are philosophical at their core.

AI has historically taken inspiration from the human mind, from earlier systems centered on mathematical and logical reasoning to today’s machine-learning models and neural networks. That history raises fundamental questions about human reasoning and whether machines can replicate aspects of it. But the questions do not end with how AI works. They also include how humans should relate to it.

Should an AI chatbot behave like a helpful assistant, a friend, or simply a tool? Should systems be designed to communicate in ways that appear emotional? What kinds of interactions should developers encourage or discourage?

These design decisions may appear technical, but Timmerman explained that questions about what people should know are normative, and therefore, philosophical. Decisions about how AI should be developed, trained and used inevitably raise questions about ethics, consciousness, harm and human relationships.

Rethinking the “Practical” College Major

The growth of AI is also challenging assumptions about which college degrees are considered practical.

Students often feel pressure to select a major that appears to lead directly into a specific occupation. Yet, Kahn noted that most jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree do not require applicants to have studied one specific subject. What matters instead is whether graduates can demonstrate they acquired the skills employers are seeking while earning their bachelor's.

That distinction could become even more significant as AI changes the workforce. Some technical skills once considered reliably marketable are themselves being affected by automation. Basic coding, for example, may not carry precisely the same value it did a decade ago as increasingly capable AI systems enter the workplace. Meanwhile, the foundational skills cultivated through philosophy remain relevant.

“The skills you get from philosophy are only more relevant in the age of AI,” Kahn said.

Critical reading, careful reasoning, strong writing and ethical decision-making transfer across industries and are becoming particularly valuable now that professionals must compare what individual persons can do against the increasingly sophisticated output produced by AI.

From the Philosophy Classroom to the Workplace

For students who love philosophy but remain concerned about what they can do with the degree, Timmerman recommends beginning career exploration before graduation. By junior year, students can start reviewing job postings across industries, identifying positions that interest them and comparing employers’ desired qualifications with the skills they are developing in the classroom. They can also take Liberal Arts Works with professor Hellwig, who teaches a class focused on developing these skills.

The possibilities extend well beyond academia. Analytical training can prepare students for law-related careers, including well-paying opportunities that do not necessarily require law school. AI represents another emerging area, while businesses continue to seek employees with transferable reading, writing and reasoning abilities.

Kahn also pointed to more specialized technology careers, including applied ontology, where professionals work with structured data while thinking carefully about how information is categorized. Some niche technology positions specifically value the type of conceptual thinking philosophy majors are trained to do.

Asking Better Questions in an AI-Driven World

Perhaps philosophy’s greatest contribution to the age of AI, however, is not simply its ability to help people find better answers. It may be its ability to help them ask better questions.

As enthusiasm grows around using AI for an expanding range of tasks, Kahn argued that society needs to ask more fundamental questions like, “What does a particular AI system actually do?” “What do we want it to accomplish?” “Is it useful?” and “Does using it help us reach out goals?”

“I think asking the right questions about what it does, what we want, what is useful, and how it does, or doesn’t, help us reach our goals is crucial.” Kahn said. “These are questions not getting asked enough.”

Timmerman similarly emphasized the importance of subjecting arguments to scrutiny and considering multiple possible positions, skills deeply embedded in philosophical study. Even the ability to use AI effectively can depend on this kind of thinking. People who provide AI systems with clear, nuanced prompts can often produce stronger results because they have first clarified what they are asking the technology to accomplish.

As AI continues to evolve, the future of work may not simply depend on who knows how to use the newest technology. It may increasingly depend on who can question it, evaluate it and determine how it should be used.

For philosophy students, those questions are already part of the curriculum.

This intersection of philosophy, technology and the changing world of work reflects the broader commitment of Seton Hall University’s College of Arts and Sciences to preparing students for a rapidly evolving future. By bringing the enduring strengths of a liberal arts education into conversation with emerging technologies and contemporary challenges, the College continues to foster an innovative, interdisciplinary learning environment where students are encouraged not only to adapt to change, but to think critically about the questions shaping it. Through the scholarship and teaching of faculty such as Travis Timmerman, Ph.D. and Amelia R. Kahn, Ph.D., students have opportunities to explore how disciplines like philosophy can offer meaningful perspectives on some of today’s most consequential technological developments.

Categories: Science and Technology