In recent developments, news has emerged from prestigious institutions, such as Harvard University, which announced the cancellation of over thirty fall courses, primarily within the Departments of History and LiteratureThis announcement comes amid a broader trend of academic shifts occurring within universities across the globe, particularly in the humanities.

Over the past decade, a significant number of undergraduate programs in China have been eliminated, reflecting a cohesive shift towards practical and technological disciplinesRecent statistics indicate that 1,670 undergraduate courses were discontinued across the nation in 2023, with design, business management, and public administration experiencing the most substantial reductionsThe prevailing trend suggests a dramatic downsizing within the humanities, as universities adapt their curricula to align with contemporary market demands for more technical skills.

This contraction in humanities programs is not an isolated occurrence

It is rather an outcome of the increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related technologies into higher education and employment environmentsAs we navigate through this AI-driven era, one can question whether the humanities truly hold any position in this transformative landscape.

Indeed, reports from around the world highlight the tendency of universities to cut humanities coursesIn 2022, several institutions, including Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, and the University of Kansas, proposed significant reductions in their general education courses, heavily focusing on humanities subjectsMoreover, in 2023, West Virginia University decided to terminate 28 programs, predominantly centered in the humanitiesEuropean academic institutions, including Leiden University in the Netherlands and various universities in the UK, are following suit, proposing the cancellation of multiple undergraduate programs in the liberal arts.

In China, the cessation of academic programs has reached unprecedented levels, primarily impacting fields within the arts and humanities

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The surge of new programs in fields such as computer science, data science, and AI furthers illustrates the noticeable shift in academic offeringsFor instance, data science and AI have witnessed substantial growth, with 760 and 532 new programs established, respectively, in recent yearsThis substantial investment in STEM disciplines raises pertinent questions about the fate of traditional humanities degrees.

While it is evident that many humanities courses face significant reductions based on changing market demands, one must consider the reasons for this trendReports indicate that many of these programs lacked uniqueness and specialization, making them less attractive to students and misaligned with the preference for distinct and niche skill sets in the job marketCertain fields, such as public administration and fashion design, have been subjected to significant saturation, prompting universities to reconsider their offerings.

Furthermore, the anticipated impacts of technological advancements over the coming years are expected to accelerate, potentially leading to the loss of millions of administrative positions due to automation

Consequently, this has resulted in diminishing opportunities for graduates in humanities-related professionsFor example, job prospects in translation have declined dramaticallyData from the McKinsey Research Institute shows that the share of undergraduate students entering translation roles has plummeted from 1.1% in 2014 to a mere 0.4% in 2023.

Globally, students are increasingly scrutinizing the employment outcomes of their degrees, valuing higher education primarily on the basis of job availability and income potentialHumanities disciplines have therefore faced a backlash, being perceived as less viable compared to their STEM counterpartsEven fields with rich histories, such as philosophy, literature, and the arts, are often labeled as obsolete in the context of modern employment.

Notably, experts have pointed out that the emergence of new programs primarily focuses on in-demand skills in technical fields, leaving traditional humanities subjects marginalized

Despite this, employment satisfaction among humanities graduates remains surprisingly highA report indicates that graduates from literature and arts disciplines express relative contentment with their job situations, despite disparities in salaries compared to engineering graduatesThus, the value of these disciplines may not solely hinge on financial return, invoking a need to reassess their worth in a broader sense.

As we embrace the AI era, the relevance of humanities education extends beyond what is immediately tangible in the job marketThe growing need for soft skills—such as communication and critical thinking—remains crucialAs Wang Chun-chao, a respected vice president at South China Normal University, articulated, while AI technology depends heavily on technical skills, it is equally reliant on individuals with strong interpersonal competencies capable of navigating human-centric roles.

According to recent findings, traditional skills such as communication, customer service, and leadership are still valued highly by employers, even amid rapid technological changes

Noteworthy is that adaptability has emerged as one of the most significant skills in today’s workforceAs highlighted by Lin Guozhang, Executive Director at Pearson China, AI is not so much about replacing human roles but rather reshaping the qualifications required for employment.

The report emphasizes that humanities graduates possess valuable attributes, including critical thinking and effective communication, which are imperative in the evolving job marketAs technology evolves at lightning speed, the adaptive skills honed through a liberal arts education are becoming increasingly importantThere is a pressing need for radical innovation in the ways humanities are taught, emphasizing the integration of technical skills with traditional subjects.

In light of these transformations, there are examples of institutions that are proactively redefining their humanities curricula

Furthermore, the establishment of interdisciplinary programs that meld sustainability with various subjects is gaining tractionFor instance, Trinity College Dublin has introduced a mandatory course on sustainability for incoming business students, highlighting a significant commitment to an interdisciplinary approach.

Similarly, renowned universities in the United States, including Stanford and MIT, have begun integrating AI teaching into their general education requirements, fostering a multifaceted understanding of this essential fieldIn fall 2024, AI courses will also become a mandatory part of the curriculum at Zhejiang University in China, offered at varying levels to cater to students with diverse academic backgrounds.

Furthermore, by fall 2025, Fudan University aims to integrate AI education comprehensively into all aspects of its programs, showcasing a commitment to ensuring every student acquires a foundational understanding of AI