AI can write code. It cannot explain why that code matters to a human being. That gap is why two Bentley University professors say students need both tech skills and humanities skills to succeed in today's job market.
Mark Frydenberg teaches computer information systems. Elizabeth LeDoux teaches English and media studies. Together, they say the old idea — "learn to code, get a safe job" — no longer holds up in an AI-driven world.
Quick Take
- AI and big data are the fastest-growing job skills, says the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report.
- But creative thinking, flexibility, and resilience are also rising in importance through 2030.
- Bentley professors say coding alone no longer guarantees a high-paying job.
- A new team-taught Bentley course, launching spring 2027, will blend AI, storytelling, and media skills.
- Most Americans don't trust businesses to use AI responsibly, according to Bentley-Gallup research.
The "Safe Major" Myth Is Breaking Down
For years, students picked STEM majors (science, tech, engineering, math) because they felt like the safe bet. Frydenberg says that logic is fading fast.
AI now handles a lot of basic coding work. That means entry-level tech jobs are changing shape. Knowing how to code is still useful. But it's no longer a guaranteed ticket to a big paycheck.
"The days of 'if you know how to code, you're guaranteed a high-paying job' are over," Frydenberg says.
He's not saying STEM is dying. He's saying it's not enough on its own anymore.
Why Humanities Skills Matter More Now, Not Less
LeDoux says many people assumed AI would make English and humanities degrees pointless. After all, AI can write essays and stories in seconds.
But she flips that idea around. AI only works because it was trained on human-made writing in the first place. That means human judgment still matters — maybe more than before.
Skills like critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and ethical storytelling help people in every field, not just the arts. LeDoux says AI can disrupt any major, including STEM ones. So those "soft skills" become a safety net for everyone, not a backup plan for non-tech students.
What Tech Workers Need From English Class
Frydenberg says future software developers need more than coding skills. They need to explain technical ideas in plain language to people who aren't tech experts. They need to write clear reports and pitch ideas well.
They also need to design software that works for different kinds of people — different abilities, cultures, and languages. That's a design skill, not just a coding skill.
LeDoux flips the question: English and media students should learn to code too. A student writing a video game story still needs to understand how code shapes gameplay and user experience. Both fields, she says, share the same core skills: logic, creativity, problem-solving, and ethics.
Trust Is the Real AI Problem
A Bentley-Gallup poll found something striking: most Americans don't trust companies to use AI the right way.
| Concern Area | What Builds Trust |
|---|---|
| Data use | Clear disclosure of where AI data comes from |
| Privacy | Strong data privacy protections |
| Decision-making | Transparency about how AI makes choices |
Bentley-Gallup research shows most Americans doubt businesses are using AI responsibly.
Frydenberg says STEM training explains how AI works. Humanities training pushes leaders to explain why it works that way, and whether results are biased. Combining both, he says, is what builds real accountability.
LeDoux agrees. She says a human-centered lens — one that cares about privacy, fairness, and creativity — is what earns public trust back.
What's Next
Bentley is testing this combined approach directly. In spring 2027, Frydenberg and LeDoux will co-teach a new course called "AI for Creators: Data, Narrative and New Media," blending tech skills with storytelling and ethics.
The bigger idea: future workers in any field will need to understand both the machines and the people those machines are built for. That mix, not one skill alone, is what the next job market seems to reward.
Source: Bentley University
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