Preparing Young People for AI-Era Careers

Adapted from William D. Jackson's conversation on the L&D Nexus Podcast, "How L&D Helps Young People Use AI for Career Choices".

Young people today will build careers in jobs that are still being invented. That is exciting, and daunting. Technologies such as AI, virtual reality and the metaverse are not only changing those future jobs; they are also giving young people new ways to discover them.

Technology as a window into careers

Traditional careers guidance often relies on talks, leaflets and a short work placement. Immersive technology can go much further. With VR, a student can step inside a laboratory, a construction site or a hospital ward. With AI tools, they can explore what a role involves, ask questions and test their interests. These experiences make abstract career options feel real, especially for young people who have never met anyone working in those fields.

Why inclusion has to come first

New technology tends to reach well-resourced schools first. Without deliberate effort, that widens existing gaps. Building inclusive learning spaces, including in regions such as Africa and Latin America, is about making sure young people everywhere get access to the same tools and the same chance to imagine themselves in future careers.

Representation matters

Young people are more likely to pursue a path when they see people like themselves succeeding in it. Diversity and representation in technology are not optional extras; they shape who believes a tech career is possible. Educators, mentors and role models from varied backgrounds play a powerful part in that.

What educators and L&D leaders can do

• Start with curiosity: let young people explore technology hands-on before asking them to choose a path.
• Teach responsible use: help students understand what AI is good at, where it makes mistakes, and how to use it ethically.
• Connect learning to real work: partner with employers so classroom skills link to actual roles.
• Build skills that last: creativity, collaboration and problem solving stay valuable however technology changes.

The future of learning and development

The same shifts reshaping education are reaching the workplace. Organisations will soon welcome a generation that learned with AI and immersive tools from an early age. L&D teams that understand how these young people learn will be better prepared to develop them.

Watch William D. Jackson's full conversation on the L&D Nexus Podcast to hear more about his work bringing AI, VR and metaverse skills to young people around the world.