China is getting rid of arts degrees, but Nvidia’s Jensen Huang urges parents not to panic about what their kids study at college

China is scaling back arts and humanities programs as part of a broader shift toward AI-focused education, driven by soaring youth unemployment rates that exceeded 20% before the government stopped publishing figures in mid-2023. The Communication University of China in Beijing canceled five undergraduate degrees—photography, comics, visual communication design, new media art, and fashion design—merging them into broader disciplines like film and television production. Officials argue that traditional majors, such as photography, are no longer distinct due to the rise of self-media creators, though restrictions on AI dependence remain vague. Other universities, including Shanghai’s Fudan University, are reducing liberal arts enrollment from 30-40% to 20%, sparking debate over whether market-driven education sacrifices critical thinking. Critics like Liu Yadong, a professor and dean, warn that prioritizing practical skills over humanities could weaken national intellectual capacity. Meanwhile, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang urged parents not to stress over their children’s college majors, stating that skills like journalism, storytelling, and design will endure even in an AI-dominated future. He advised students to leverage AI to enhance their craft rather than seeking AI-proof fields. Huang’s remarks contrast with China’s policy shift, which reflects a focus on technical and marketable disciplines amid economic pressures.