AI is raising existential questions about knowledge and humanity. Philosophy departments are hiring faculty to address them. Over a dozen US universities have opened AI-focused tenure-track searches this fall. Purdue, University of Illinois at Chicago and Georgia Tech are among them. Student demand for AI ethics courses is driving the trend. Tech companies are also hiring philosophers to shape AI research. Half of one expert’s peers have moved to industry roles. Some departments struggle to find enough qualified candidates. Philosophy PhDs in the US fell from 580 to 477 between 2011 and 2022. Critics call the hiring spree a waste of resources. Supporters see it as a chance to highlight philosophy’s practical value.
What changed
Philosophy of technology was a niche subfield with limited hiring.
What it unlocks
Universities can now fill AI-specific philosophy roles to address existential AI questions.
- 12+ AI-focused tenure-track searches this fall
- 580 to 477 philosophy PhDs (2011–2022)
- 50% of AI philosophers moved to tech companies
What you need to act on it
- expertise in AI-related philosophy
- administrative approval for new hires
Sources