We’ve all heard the historic references back in the day, “The machines are taking over!” thanks to the old Terminator movies, The Matrix and I, Robot. This isn’t a direct quote from these movies but it’s more implied than anything else.
Fast forward to present day, we hear all the chatter that is massively spread across our social and news feeds that “AI is coming for our jobs”. Naturally this creates a high level of uncertainty where the future of work is concerned. And this also brings up another natural question that arises among students or someone considering going back to school: “Is it still worth getting a business degree when AI can do so much?”
Is a BBA Still Worth It in the Age of AI and Automation?
Short answer: YES
If I Were Starting My Career Today…
When I first started my professional career, AI wasn’t even a thing, it wasn’t even a word. The only two letter acronym that came close but is still not even close at the time was ET (The Extra-terrestrial). Okay, let me not go that far back, but the closest thing that had any relevant technological advances at the time would have been IT or M2M (Machine to Machine Learning).
My career was established on the foundation of human connection, strategic thinking, PowerPoint decks that took days to create because of all the manual intervention and feedback that you would receive from peers and senior managers that made suggestions about font sizes, aligning images and charts to make everything look somewhat pretty. There was no such thing as Canva or anything that machines can replicate.
If I were starting today, I would still invest in a business degree as there still is a plethora of things that AI can’t do. For instance, the basic requirement for human connection can only be established through HUMANS. I’m obviously referring to the human connection that is required to effectively collaborate when engaging in group projects. And this is just the tip of the iceberg, I’ll bring to the surface some other notables in a bit. But when investing in a business degree, I would do it smarter, faster, and with a future-ready mindset. And that’s exactly what Yorkville’s BBA offers.
The Landscape Has Changed – But So Have the Skills We Need
Yes, AI and automation is reshaping industries worldwide. But let’s be honest: AI is NOT replacing humans in leadership roles. It’s replacing tasks. And that’s a big difference.
While AI can crunch numbers and generate reports in seconds, it can’t lead with empathy. It can’t build trust, mentor a team, pitch with emotion, or solve complex human problems.
These are the soft skills – critical thinking, ethical decision-making, leadership – that today’s business world is hungry for.
That’s where we come in.
What the Right BBA Program Actually Teaches
Yorkville’s BBA isn’t your traditional, lecture-heavy program. This means we’re not looking for the traditional student, either. We’re built different. Our programs are designed for real life and real-time application.
– Accelerated and flexible: Many students finish in as few as 2.5 years, while working or raising a family. This takes grit and dedication to stack your skills so that you can compete in a hyper competitive marketplace.
– Modern and relevant: You’ll learn the fundamentals — finance, strategy, project management — but also dive into ethics, digital business, and entrepreneurship.
– Practical and personal: The coursework encourages you to apply lessons to your own goals, not someone else’s business case.
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About Reggie Waterman:
Reggie Waterman is the Brand Director at Yorkville University, where he leads national campaigns focused on helping students pursue meaningful, career-focused education. With over 18 years of experience in marketing and a passion for human development, Reggie brings a unique blend of strategic thinking and heart to the post-secondary space.
As a published author, speaker, and workshop facilitator, Reggie is known for designing impactful learning experiences that help individuals clarify their purpose and take bold steps toward their goals. Whether through branding initiatives, thought leadership, or student-centered programming, his mission remains the same: to inspire people to live with intention and possibility.
Guided by his personal motto, “constantly keeping you in wonder,” Reggie is dedicated to sparking curiosity, growth, and transformation in every interaction
