ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Artificial Intelligence is changing the world at a breathtaking pace, and the most valuable skill for future generations may not be coding, engineering, or even mathematics. Instead, it will be the ability to “learn how to learn,” according to Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind and co-recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Hassabis delivered his message Friday evening at a remarkable setting: an ancient Roman theater at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens. The venue, steeped in history, underscored the continuity between ancient ideas of knowledge and the challenges of today’s digital age.

The Age of Rapid Change

Hassabis, a neuroscientist and former chess prodigy, spoke candidly about the speed of technological change. “It’s very hard to predict the future, like 10 years from now, in normal cases. It’s even harder today, given how fast AI is changing, even week by week,” he told the audience. “The only thing you can say for certain is that huge change is coming.”

He warned that while technology has always reshaped economies and work, the current wave, driven by AI, is different in scope and speed. Tools powered by machine learning are no longer confined to niche tasks—they are entering classrooms, medical labs, law offices, and even creative fields. This, Hassabis stressed, makes adaptability the most critical survival skill.

From Chess Prodigy to AI Pioneer

Demis Hassabis’s life shows the mix of skills he now encourages others to learn. He was born in London to a Greek Cypriot father and a Chinese-Singaporean mother. As a child, he became known as a chess prodigy. Later, he studied neuroscience and computer science.

In 2010, he co-founded DeepMind in London. The lab quickly became famous for its breakthroughs in AI. Four years later, Google acquired DeepMind. Under Hassabis’s leadership, the lab created AlphaGo, the first AI to beat a world champion at the game of Go. It also built AlphaFold, a system that can predict how proteins fold with great accuracy.

AlphaFold brought Hassabis and his colleagues the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The system changed drug research and biology. By showing scientists how proteins fold, it opened new paths for treating many diseases.

Toward Artificial General Intelligence

Looking ahead, Hassabis suggested that artificial general intelligence (AGI)—a system as broadly capable as humans in learning and problem-solving—could arrive within the next decade.

Such a development could spark what he called a future of “radical abundance,” where AI accelerates scientific discovery, drives productivity, and improves quality of life on a global scale. At the same time, he acknowledged the risks: disruption of jobs, concentration of power, and ethical dilemmas around safety and misuse.

Hassabis said.

“We need to prepare society not just with technical knowledge but with what I call meta-skills,“Understanding how to learn, how to approach new subjects, how to adapt—that will be more important than memorizing facts.”

Education in the AI Era

The audience, which included educators, policymakers, and students, listened closely as Hassabis linked AI to education. He argued that school systems, still largely modeled on 19th-century structures, must evolve. Instead of focusing on rote memorization, schools should prioritize critical thinking, problem-solving, and continuous learning strategies.

“One thing we’ll know for sure is you’re going to have to continually learn … throughout your career,” Hassabis noted. Lifelong learning, he said, is no longer optional but essential.

The Political Angle: Greece and AI

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis joined Hassabis at the Athens event, highlighting the political and economic stakes of AI adoption. Earlier in the day, the two met to discuss how Greece could expand the use of AI in government services, from healthcare administration to tax systems.

Mitsotakis praised AI’s potential but also sounded a cautionary note. “Unless people actually see benefits, personal benefits, to this (AI) revolution, they will tend to become very skeptical,” he warned.

“And if they see … obscene wealth being created within very few companies, this is a recipe for significant social unrest.”

His comments reflect growing concern in Europe about the dominance of U.S.-based tech giants in shaping the future of AI. While Greece has ambitions to modernize through digital innovation, leaders remain mindful of the social and economic divides that can widen if technology benefits are unevenly distributed.

A Moment of Levity

Despite the heavy themes of inequality and technological disruption, the evening was not without humor. Hassabis, whose father is Greek Cypriot, rescheduled his presentation to avoid clashing with the much-anticipated European basketball championship semifinal between Greece and Turkey.

The gesture drew laughter and applause from the crowd. Unfortunately for the home fans, Greece later lost the game 94–68, a result that briefly overshadowed the evening’s intellectual discussions.

Looking Forward

For Hassabis, the central message was clear: technology will continue to reshape the world, but how humanity responds will depend on its ability to keep learning. He said.

“AI is changing faster than anything we’ve seen before. “If you can learn how to learn, you’ll always be ready for what comes next.”

FAQs

1. Who is Demis Hassabis?

Demis Hassabis is the CEO of Google DeepMind, a neuroscientist, and a former chess prodigy. He co-founded DeepMind in 2010 and won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on AI systems that predict protein folding.

2. What is artificial general intelligence (AGI)?

AGI refers to AI systems that can perform a wide range of tasks at the same level as humans, rather than being limited to specific jobs. Hassabis believes AGI could arrive within the next decade.

3. Why did Hassabis say “learning how to learn” is important?

Because AI and technology are evolving so quickly, specific skills may become outdated. Learning how to learn—adapting, problem-solving, and mastering new topics—is key to long-term success.

4. How is Greece approaching AI adoption?

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is exploring ways to use AI in government services while warning against the dangers of wealth concentration among tech giants.

5. What was the connection to the Greece-Turkey basketball game?

Hassabis, whose father is Greek Cypriot, rescheduled his talk so it wouldn’t clash with the Greece–Turkey semifinal. Greece lost the match 94–68.

The Most Important Skill for Tomorrow? Google’s AI Expert Says ‘Learning How to Learn’