Mastering GenAI: Essential Tips for College Students to Stay Ahead (in early 2025)

College students often ask me how they should approach learning about GenAI since it is frequently discussed and is impacting many industries. With the rise of Generate.AI, it's important to remember the saying: during a gold rush, don't dig for gold; sell shovels instead. Large language models (LLMs) and foundational models are no longer a competitive advantage; they have become commodities. This shift was highlighted when Deep-Sea released its model, introducing significant competition and eroding the stock values of large companies.

To stay ahead, I recommend starting with any software coding model, such as WindSurf. Master all its settings and configurations to understand how to use it effectively.

Secondly, I notice that software development is increasingly aligning with product management. Product teams interact with customers and usually determine the shape of products (and services too). It has become extremely easy for product teams to iterate with v0.dev and similar tools. More and more, they will dominate product development, rather than technology teams. Therefore, it's beneficial to learn about product management and what it means to build a product. Understand how to identify and prioritize the features that need to be developed.

(I still see the need for strong software engineering competency to scale products beyond a certain limit.)

Regardless of technological advancements, there will always be business problems to solve. Focus on top-line issues, as addressing them will keep you in demand. Engage with sales and marketing teams to understand their challenges. For instance, sales teams often ask how to increase product sign-ups, while marketing teams seek to raise product awareness. The sales problem revolves around distribution, while marketing focuses on design. By identifying and addressing these issues, you will position yourself ahead of your peers.

Following these three steps will help you leverage Generate.AI effectively and enhance your skills as a student.