By Et Contributor

Copyright indiatimes

For decades, Indian parents have treated higher education as the safest wealth transfer they can make to their children. A top degree promised stability, respect, and a secure career. That belief is being tested by artificial intelligence, or AI.Income Tax GuideIncome Tax Slabs FY 2025-26Income Tax Calculator 2025New Income Tax Bill 2025Until recently, automation meant factories or call centres. Today, AI can pass medical exams, generate advertising campaigns, and even code full apps. Tools like OpenAI’s Sora create professional videos in minutes. Devin, an AI software engineer, can build and deploy products on its own. Hospitals are piloting nanobot-assisted surgeries, while lawyers are already using AI copilots to draft contracts faster than junior associates. These are no longer ideas from the future. They are already here.So, what does this mean for your child’s expensive degree?Degree a start, not destinationA bachelor’s or a master’s degree will still matter. It signals structured learning and credibility. But as AI handles more of the routine work, employers are looking for what machines cannot offer: creativity, leadership, adaptability, and human judgment.A finance analyst cannot compete with GPT-5’s instant data models, but those who can translate such models into business decisions will be irreplaceable.A marketing graduate who only knows textbook campaigns may struggle, while the one who uses Sora and Runway to tell powerful brand stories will thrive.A doctor may use AI for faster scans, but the human ability to connect with patients and build trust remains essential.Redefine your investmentIf you’re planning for your child’s future, the goal isn’t just to fund a degree, but to secure a lifetime of learning and reinvention. The most valuable investment you can make is in the skills and experiences that AI cannot replicate. Here are some ways you can plan for your children’s road ahead:Invest in ‘human edge’, not just academicsTraditional education focuses on what can be taught in a classroom. But in the age of AI, the skills that truly matter—creativity, resilience and adaptability—are often built elsewhere. Think of experiences like debate teams, robotics clubs or art classes not as luxuries, but as essential skill-building exercises. These activities sharpen the human abilities that will define your child’s career and make them irreplaceable.Fund experiences, not just tuitionA degree provides a foundational understanding, but real-world experience is what sets a candidate apart. Employers today are looking for proof of practical skills: a portfolio of side projects, participation in hackathons, or the global perspective gained from an exchange programme. Allocate a portion of your education savings to fund these real-world opportunities. An internship or a passion project can often provide more value than another semester of classes.Budget for a ‘future skills fund’Your education savings shouldn’t be seen as funding a single milestone. Instead, think of it as a ‘future skills fund’ that will underwrite decades of growth and reskilling. Careers will change every few years, and AI will only accelerate that cycle. By setting aside a buffer for future certifications, executive courses, or skill-based training, you’re giving your child the financial flexibility to adapt and stay relevant throughout their career.Aim for the right mix of skillsThe most forward-looking parents I meet ask not only, “Which college should we target,” but also, “What mix of degree, skills, and financial flexibility will keep my child relevant in a world of AI co-pilots and nanosurgeons?”Ability to change mattersAI will not erase the value of degrees, but it will test their limits. Your child’s first degree may open the door. What will matter more is the human edge your child builds and the financial foundation you provide for continuous learning. In the age of Sora, Devin, and nanotechnology, it is not the degree alone that counts. It is the ability to stay curious, adaptable, and prepared for change. That is what your planning must secure.The Author is CO-FOUNDER, EDUFUND

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)