NotebookLM, ChatGPT: How to generate learning notes with AI
AI-powered tools can help you review notes and prepare for tests, no matter your learning style.
problem solved
Hey Class of 2026 – let’s talk.
Granted, it’s October, a few months away from graduation. But now is a good time to think about what’s next. Even after graduation, I’m still in celebration mode. Throw your hat in the air, hug a friend, your mind swirls with possibilities. Yes, graduation is amazing. This is the end of a chapter and the beginning of writing your own story. But let’s be real. You’re stepping into a world of work unlike any previous generation. When I graduated, my biggest worries were choosing the right career, paying the bills, and finding a job I truly enjoyed. These questions still exist, but there are new questions that cannot be ignored.
Is this a job that AI can do better than me?
AI is here and changing the game
Artificial intelligence is not a dream of the future. It’s here now, and it’s changing the very jobs people once relied on to launch their careers.
Think about the tasks that helped young professionals learn the ropes, such as drafting reports, analyzing research, summarizing meetings, and creating PowerPoint slides. Today, AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can handle these tasks in minutes.
It’s both exciting and a little scary.
If an AI takes over “rookie” tasks, how will it gain real-world experience? How can you prove yourself and move up? It is a puzzle that your generation must solve.
AI is not the enemy, but it’s also not magic
The takeaway here is that AI is powerful. However, it will not completely replace humans. It’s a tool, just like a calculator, Excel, or a search engine.
Jennifer Woods, CEO of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), said it well: “AI is not going away; rather, it will evolve and become integral to the way people work.” “Whether we allow it or not, students are already using AI, and our responsibility is to make sure they are using it to build capabilities that will help them in the future.”
Yes, get used to AI. Learn how to display prompts, adjust what is generated, and identify errors. It’s called AI literacy, and it’s quickly becoming as important as a degree.
But remember: AI is a tool, not a replacement for you. Jade Walters, a career coach for young professionals, shared some valuable advice: “Use AI to automate mundane tasks so you can focus on the creative and strategic parts of your role. That way, you can stand out.”
Because here is the real danger. AI becomes a crutch that prevents you from developing your own voice, your own thoughts, and your own self-confidence.
Beware of shortcuts and temptations to cheat
Some graduates are already taking AI into bold new places, such as using it in job interviews.
Former Columbia University student Roy Lee launched Cluely, an AI tool that gives people live answers during interviews. It sparked a huge debate. As Lee told me, “It’s not that we see it as cheating. It feels like cheating to everyone else, until everyone starts doing it.”
Roy predicts that in five years, traditional one-hour interviews may not even be necessary. Instead, AI could assess your skills and match you directly with a job.
Jeff Taylor, founder of Monster.com, now Boomband.com, agrees that the future will move away from endless job applications and toward smarter, data-driven matching.
But don’t get ahead of yourself. Even though AI is helping you pass interviews, employers still value honesty, integrity, and real-world skills. My advice? Use AI to improve your readiness, but don’t let it replace the hard work of increasing your capabilities.
You need to be an “agent boss”
Employers today are looking for more than just people who: use AI – They want people who can management that.
Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index calls this the “Agent Boss.” That is, someone who can direct AI tools, delegate tasks to digital colleagues, and integrate them into complex workflows.
It’s the skill set that separates those who just keep up from those who lead.
AI can help you create your PowerPoint deck, but only you can deliver it with confidence, context, and conviction.
rethink your career path
The way people find work is also changing. Taylor envisions a future where resumes may become obsolete and be replaced by AI-driven systems that match people with jobs based on real-time data and skills.
He also urges your generation to think flexibly: “Not everyone needs full-time employment, so let’s build up cash and build up skills.”
Segmented roles, freelancing, portfolio careers – these may no longer be side hustles. These may be your primary means of work.
My advice for AI classes
So, as you prepare to step into this brave new world of work, here’s what I have to say.
- Embrace AI, but stay grounded. Learn the tools. experiment. But keep your human edge.
- Keep learning. AI will continue to evolve. You should too.
- Stick to your ethics. Just because technology can help you cut corners doesn’t mean you should.
- Be flexible. It’s okay if the road is winding.
Because even in an AI-powered world, one truth remains: people hire people. Your creativity, integrity, and humanity are still your greatest superpowers.
Or, as Taylor told me, “Eighty percent of success is showing up. AI doesn’t exist to replace us, it exists to empower us. But only if we are present, active, and ready to lead.”
So get ready to shape the future – it’s waiting for you.
Brandon Griffin is Interim Marketing Director at Gannett’s LOCALiQ UKcertified AI Governance Professionaland serves on the National Committee for America’s Future Business Leaders and Junior Achievement Committees Around the World.
