AI Isn’t the Problem—It’s What We Failed To Teach

What if your job disappeared tomorrow—how long would it take you to retrain for a new career? The answer reveals more than personal readiness; it signals how prepared the American workforce is for an economy in constant motion. Industries rise and fall, and while engineers may be in demand today, tomorrow’s hot skills are anyone’s guess. Forecasting labor markets helps, but true security lies in resilience. This requires building a system that makes reskilling and upskilling not just possible, but seamless, so workers can adapt to change rather than be blindsided by it.

It’s easy to dismiss school subjects as irrelevant. Journalists joke they never use algebra and accountants recall novels they read that have no bearing on spreadsheets. Yet many of those same people marvel at AI’s ability to summarize documents or worry about being replaced by it. The irony is that the very skills they once undervalued—reading comprehension and algebraic reasoning—are what enable workers to adapt. Strong reading abilities make summarizing information second nature, while algebra trains the mind to dissect complex problems and solve them step by step. These foundations don’t just matter in classrooms, they’re the building blocks for writing effective AI prompts, analyzing information, understanding mechanics and thriving in workplaces that will keep evolving. 

Foundational skills are what make career retooling possible without starting over. With strong underlying reading and math abilities, workers can pivot more quickly, using fewer resources to meet shifting market demands. But the reality is grim: only 35% of U.S. twelfth graders demonstrate at least proficiency in reading and just 22% reach that level in math, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Without these basics, many workers will struggle not only to retrain for new careers, but also to perform in a world where even simple tasks—like crafting effective prompts for AI tools—demand critical thinking and comprehension. The gap in foundational education is, in effect, a gap in the future workforce.

Workers may lament the lack of opportunities and employers may decry persistent talent shortages, and it’s tempting to point the finger at AI or the next disruption. But it’s our education system that has failed to equip people with foundational competencies. Until we address that, both workers and employers will remain stuck in the same cycle of frustration.