Skills, Schools, and the Pace of AI

School's Out Saturdays on the AGI Podcast - Because our job is to prepare students for their future not our past. (Episode 55)

Episode Summary:What happens when a podcast host challenges his own city's mayor and economic development CEO about whether schools are keeping pace with AI? This conversation gets real about entry-level jobs disappearing, the gap between employer needs and education timelines, and why Hamilton County's 75% college-educated workforce might not be enough.

About My GuestSue Finkam is Mayor, City of Carmel, IN | 2025 #2 Best Place To Live In the US | 12 years City Council experience before becoming Mayor in January 2024 | Enterprising Women of the Year 2023 | Indianapolis Business Journal Woman of Influence 2022. Located in Carmel, Indiana. Sue focuses on creating partnerships between leadership and residents while modernizing city operations.

Mike Thibideau is President & CEO at Invest Hamilton County | Economic development leader focused on workforce development and data-driven community solutions | Building systems that empower economic vitality across Hamilton County. Located in Hamilton County, Indiana. Mike leads collaboration on workforce development and quality of life priorities.

Guest LinksSue Finkam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suefinkam/Sue Finkam Website: https://www.suefinkam.com/City of Carmel: https://www.carmel.in.gov/Mike Thibideau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-thibideau-a702b544/Invest Hamilton County LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investhamiltoncounty/Invest Hamilton County Website: https://investhamiltoncounty.com/

Follow The ShowInstagram: @AGISchoolsoutFacebook + LinkedIn: @AGIPodcast

Don't get left behind! Future-proof your organization, your team, and your career → work with Jason → podcasts, keynotes, educational workshops, and one-on-one coachingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondkoehrer/X: https://x.com/AGIPodcast📧 [email protected]The No-Code CAIO Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7252989148163751936/

Phoenix Solutions GroupAffordable, pragmatic education, training, and consulting in AI literacy, policy, and projects.🌐 https://www.phoenixsolutionsgroup.org

Key Timestamps:03:15 - Why Carmel's education reputation might not prepare students for 203008:42 - Entry-level jobs are disappearing: What Purdue economists got wrong about AI's impact12:30 - Hamilton County has 3x more AI-literate residents than jobs requiring AI skills16:45 - Mayor Finkam on attracting talent: "My job is to create a community where skilled people want to live"19:20 - The blended skills advantage: Why healthcare needs computer science grads trained as paramedics23:15 - 86% of AI-focused jobs require bachelor's degrees, 26% need master's or PhD25:40 - Work-based learning pathways: Carmel's approach to closing the employer-student gap31:50 - Why learning to write without ChatGPT matters more than learning with it35:25 - The calculator debate redux: Are we repeating history's mistakes about technology in education?38:10 - How higher ed takes 3 years to adapt to employer needs (and why that's a problem)40:55 - Public libraries as AI education hubs: 5-year-olds using 3D printers at Carmel Clay Public Library43:20 - The job search nightmare: Why easy-apply buttons are killing your chances45:10 - Final thoughts: Why none of these perspectives are wrong, but silence isn't an option

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