# Is College Still The Default Path When AI Agents Are Doing The Work?

> AI tools now let students build business agents without college, raising questions about education's role.
- Title: Is College Still The Default Path When AI Agents Are Doing…
- Summary: AI tools now let students build business agents without college, raising questions about education's role. Students can create business-optimized AI agents…
- Keywords: ai agents, college education, elon musk, business skills, middle school, ai tools, student projects, news, politics, College, Still, Default
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/future-voices/is-college-still-the-default-path-when-ai-agents-are-doing-the-work
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-10-11T11:30:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai agents, college education, elon musk, business skills, middle school, ai tools, student projects, news, politics
## AI tools for student projects
Students can build business-optimized AI agents using free tools like Claude, Grok, and ChatGPT.
## Elon Musk's college view
Musk says colleges are for fun and chores, not learning, and degrees aren't required for success.

> I think colleges are basically for fun and to prove that you can do your chores, but they're not for learning
## College enrollment trends
College enrollment among recent high school graduates dropped to 62.8% in October 2024 from 66.2% in October 2019.
## Middle school AI training
Students in grades six through eight can start with free AI basics from Code.org and Python resources.
## Real-world project skills
Projects on pricing decisions, design tracking, and cost monitoring build practical business skills for students.
## College alternatives
Students can create portfolios of working agents by senior year to decide if college adds value.
## Key takeaway

Students can create business-optimized AI agents starting in middle school, challenging college as the only path to practical skills.