Tom Slater, a partner at Baillie Gifford and manager of the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust, warned that overreliance on AI may prevent young workers from becoming true experts. Speaking on the "Merryn Talks Money" podcast, he cautioned that short-term productivity gains from AI tools could lead to long-term skill erosion.
The investor argued that foundational learning still requires struggle and repetition, elements that AI tools often bypass. Slater said firms embracing AI too aggressively risk dismantling the pipeline that trains future professionals, leaving them unable to judge whether AI output is correct.
Slater's warning echoes concerns from AI researchers and some tech leaders who have warned that overreliance on generative AI can lead to "brain atrophy" among workers. The key risk, he said, is a workforce proficient in using AI tools but lacking the deep expertise needed to critically evaluate results.
Without deliberate investment in the next generation's analytical and foundational skills, Slater argued, businesses could face a hollowed-out talent pool. The short-term efficiency gains may come at the cost of long-term intellectual capital.
Critics might argue that AI can augment rather than replace traditional learning, and that fears of skill erosion have accompanied every major technological shift. The extent to which AI truly replaces foundational expertise remains an open question.