AT&T CEO John Stankey said the U.S. may have overvalued college degrees as artificial intelligence transforms the global workforce [1].
Stankey's comments highlight a growing tension between traditional academic credentials and the evolving needs of an AI-driven economy. As automation changes how companies hire and operate, the return on investment for a four-year degree is facing increased scrutiny from corporate leaders.
During an interview with reporter Steve Liesman on CNBC Television on Tuesday, Stankey said how the AI boom is reshaping the labor market [1]. He said that while the social premium placed on higher education might be justified in certain instances, it is not always warranted [1].
“A society and within the United States, we’ve put a huge premium in value socially on a college degree, maybe for good reason, but in some cases … we maybe have missed the mark,” Stankey said [1].
This perspective contrasts with other industry views on the utility of higher education. For example, Charles L. Welch wrote in Forbes in March 2025 that a college degree remains the best investment for future success [2].
Stankey said which roles are most affected by this shift, but he linked the conversation to the broader impact of AI on how people work [1]. The discussion suggests a potential shift toward skill-based hiring rather than degree-based requirements, a trend seen in several tech sectors as the demand for specialized AI literacy grows.
““We maybe have missed the mark” on the value of a college degree.”
Stankey's remarks reflect a broader corporate shift toward 'skills-first' hiring. As AI automates entry-level cognitive tasks, the traditional signal of a college degree may lose its efficacy compared to demonstrated technical proficiency and adaptability, potentially lowering the barrier to entry for non-degree holders in the tech sector.
