AI Workforce Transformation and the Future of Work at DeVry

Bill Gates once famously noted that people “overestimate what they can do in 1 year and underestimate what they can do in 10.” That wisdom applies perfectly to AI. Early narratives tend to exaggerate short-term disruption while dramatically underestimating long-term transformation.

We’ve seen this pattern before. The internet arrived with hype, required time to mature, then ultimately reconfigured nearly every job in the economy. Even occupations untouched by code (think hairstylists or hospitality) became more digital as scheduling tools, online marketing, customer data, and small-business software became ubiquitous.

AI is on the same trajectory, only faster. 

As Burning Glass Institute and others have highlighted, most jobs today are not monolithic, narrow roles but rather encompass a portfolio of tasks. In our view:

Our mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing learners to thrive in careers shaped by continuous technological change. For more than 90 years, we’ve helped students navigate major technological shifts through upskilling and reskilling. AI represents the next great shift, and it aligns directly with who we are.

At its best, AI should expand access, build learner confidence, and strengthen outcomes — all areas that align directly with our historic focus on student success and careers.

Twenty-five years ago, we launched our first online degree program. The internet offered a transformative new way to reach learners that required a level of flexibility and student support previously unavailable at scale. AI now presents a similar leap forward, enabling us to serve our students in powerful new ways:

We are responding to AI workplace transformation with clarity and purpose. Our commitment to our team, students, and partners is to become a national leader in AI-fluent career preparation and AI education for working adults. Amongst other things, our strategy includes:

We are making a substantial investment to embed our AI Fluency Framework across our curriculum by the end of this fiscal year. Every course is designed to build AI-related skills, knowledge, and competencies relevant to its field.

We have launched more than a dozen AI courses, certificates, and degree tracks, with more on the way. Soon, 100% of our business and technology programs will have the option of taking an AI-named track or certificate.

Today, students in 100% of our courses have access to an AI-powered Learning Assistant to help them navigate coursework, stay on track, and build confidence. These assistants will soon integrate deeper content knowledge to meaningfully enhance learning.

In 2025, we launched DeVryPro, our on-demand upskilling and reskilling platform. Our first published courses focus on beginner and intermediate applied AI skills that learners can use immediately in the workplace. Each course also includes an engaging AI-powered Learning Coach that answers questions, prompts reflection, provides feedback, and drives deeper engagement.

Innovation at DeVry is a team sport. Our AI Steering Committee, Academic Technology Steering Committee, Innovation Council, and other internal groups continuously evaluate new ideas and bring innovations to life, always in service of our students and partners. For nearly a century, our agility and embrace of technological change have been a competitive advantage, and we are encouraged to see our colleagues leaning into this moment surrounding AI and the future of work.

We are entering a new era for higher education. Students are counting on institutions to guide them into the future with confidence, integrity, and skill.

AI provides colleges and universities with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fulfill their missions in ways that were impossible just a few years ago. At DeVry, we are stepping boldly into this moment — and committing to equip all learners with the AI education, skills, and abilities they need to thrive.