Should AI PhD coursework be optional? Researchers argue yes, citing the Netherlands
gsarti_ · x · 2026-10-28
Researcher Zhijing Jin proposes a controversial idea: make AI PhD coursework entirely optional. Her arguments: self-learning has never been easier, many incoming PhDs are already strong researchers, professors' time is better spent on research mentorship, and urgent AI problems need free-thinking minds independent of industry. A scholar replies that coursework in the Netherlands is already mostly optional — and things are mostly fine there.
Related event: Researcher Proposes Making AI PhD Coursework Entirely Optional(2 posts)→
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