Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has stirred up a fresh debate online with a series of tweets arguing that traditional education has been rendered obsolete by artificial intelligence. In back-to-back posts, the director claimed degrees in medicine, law, engineering and other professional fields will soon be worthless, and that the only skill worth learning today is how to use AI itself.
‘NEET is not the issue, AI is’ says Ram Gopal Varma
Moving away from his usual film-related commentary, the director has turned his attention to India’s education system, arguing in a series of posts that traditional schooling, degrees and entrance exams have effectively become irrelevant in the age of artificial intelligence. Beginning his remarks with the statement, “NEET is not the issue. AI is,” Varma argued that while paper leaks, cancelled examinations and student protests dominate headlines, artificial intelligence represents a much deeper disruption to education and employment.According to him, education was historically built around transferring scarce knowledge, but that premise no longer exists in an era where AI can instantly process and deliver information. He suggested that fixed knowledge and technical skills are rapidly losing value as AI systems continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace.Varma further claimed that the conventional belief of studying once to secure lifelong employment has become outdated in the age of artificial intelligence.
‘Education should be killed’, says Ram Gopal Varma
In another post, Varma intensified his criticism of the current education system by declaring that it should be “killed” in its present form.He argued that students continue to spend years memorising information despite AI already possessing the same knowledge and being capable of analysing data far faster than humans.Using medical education as an example, Varma questioned whether students should continue dedicating nearly a decade to becoming doctors when AI is increasingly assisting with diagnosis and robotic technology is transforming surgeries.According to him, students are still being encouraged to follow outdated educational pathways despite technological advancements rapidly changing professional landscapes.
AI should become the centre of education, says RGV
Varma maintained that the only meaningful education today is learning how to effectively use artificial intelligence.He argued that students pursuing professional degrees in engineering, medicine, law, chartered accountancy, management, architecture and other specialised fields could graduate into a job market dramatically reshaped by AI.He further suggested that future professionals would increasingly rely on AI across multiple disciplines, allowing a single individual to perform tasks traditionally requiring expertise from several professions.Varma also criticised educational institutions for failing to adapt quickly enough, urging schools, colleges and universities to aggressively integrate AI into their curriculum.The filmmaker also directed his criticism towards parents, teachers and educational institutions.He argued that parents who continue to measure success solely through examination ranks and degrees risk preparing children for careers that may no longer exist in their current form.Similarly, he claimed educators defending traditional syllabi are failing to acknowledge how rapidly AI is transforming the workforce.Varma concluded that students should prioritise adaptability and continuous learning over rote memorisation, stating that the ability to reinvent oneself would become the most valuable skill in the AI era.
Dharmendra Pradhan ‘s resignation comes amid NEET controversy
Varma’s comments came shortly after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, which followed weeks of nationwide protests surrounding the NEET controversy. The issue triggered widespread debate over examination reforms, transparency and accountability within India’s education system.
