Knowledge Inflation and Skill Depreciation

While the idea of a general increase in knowledge among the population sounds promising, is this knowledge truly benefiting us? I enjoy reading articles about the latest technological advancements and the leaps the tech world is making (not that I understand all of it). The rise of behemoths like OpenAI and the AI systems derived from it has rendered much of our knowledge redundant. Take, for example, someone aiming to master a programming language like Swift, Ruby, or Kotlin. Who can guarantee that these languages will still be relevant in 10–15 years?

A decade or so ago, our parents and grandparents could retire after excelling in one or two specialized areas. But now, the race is non-stop—it’s on nitro-boost; it’s on steroids. Online platforms have made acquiring knowledge and basic skills easier than ever. But these skills are transient. If you don’t use them, you lose them. Everything on the internet is already accessible to AI models. Skills you pick up from an AI assistant may be so basic that companies already use AI bots for those tasks.

In this race, we’re even losing touch with fundamental arithmetic. For instance, what’s 2.5 times 12.5? (Hint: it’s 31.25). Without a computer or calculator (formerly also known as a computer!), how many of us can figure that out? And how many of us can fix our AC? We still rely on the “low-skilled” AC repair technician for that job. Wait!—scratch that—AC repair now requires certification and specialization too!

And it doesn’t stop there. Think about how often we outsource “basic” tasks. Can we still change a car tire? Or do we immediately call roadside assistance? Many of us can barely troubleshoot a Wi-Fi router when the signal drops, let alone understand the technology powering it. The convenience of outsourcing work—paired with the increasing sophistication of tools like AI—has, in a way, made us overly dependent and less self-reliant.

Meanwhile, companies expect employees to stay ahead of the curve, mastering not just one skill but an evolving stack of them. Certifications, coding boot camps, upskilling programs—all of these have become part of the never-ending race. But what happens to those who can’t keep up? They’re left clinging to skills that the market no longer values.

Maybe the answer lies in redefining the way we approach learning. Instead of chasing every new trend, perhaps we should focus on developing adaptable mindsets and problem-solving abilities—skills that transcend technological changes. After all, while AI might process data faster than any human, it still can’t replicate creativity, critical thinking, or the innate resourcefulness that makes us human. At least, not yet.

With inflating skills, aren’t we losing value of knowledge?
What do you think?

Thank you for reading!
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