Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly

For years, ambitious students eager to make their mark in Silicon Valley pursued degrees such as computer science, software engineering and data analytics—formerly dependable pathways that, in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), have turned precarious. In an unexpected turn, however, at least one degree is now translating into high-profile jobs across the industry: philosophy. As leading AI firms race to cement their dominance, they are also grappling with the complexities of developing and releasing powerful systems with opaque inner workings.