A rising star in AI research, education innovator, and technology strategist Boris Kriuk has been a vocal advocate for rethinking how we approach teaching in the age of artificial intelligence. With a focus on mindset over traditional skillsets, Kriuk is leading the charge in transforming how young professionals prepare for a future in AI-driven industries.
In this exclusive interview, Boris shares his insights on why mindset is critical for success, the shortcomings of traditional education, and how a new wave of thinkers will redefine what it means to thrive in the age of AI.
What inspired you to advocate for a mindset-driven approach to AI education?
Boris Kriuk: Over the past years, I’ve witnessed countless young talents brimming with potential but struggling to find their footing in the fast-paced world of AI and tech. The issue isn’t a lack of skill—many of them have coding backgrounds, advanced degrees, or technical training. The real challenge lies in their mindset.
AI is a field that evolves at an extraordinary pace. The tools, best practices you learn in school can become obsolete in a matter of months. What sets successful individuals apart isn’t their technical proficiency but their ability to adapt, think critically, and approach the problems.
That’s why I’ve become an advocate for prioritizing mindset in AI education. Skills can be taught, but a growth-oriented mindset allows you to continuously learn, innovate, and excel in an ever-changing landscape.
You argue that mindset is even more important than skill in AI education. Why is this?
Boris Kriuk: Skills are a starting point, but they are not the destination. In AI, the ability to program or understand algorithms is important, but these are tools—means to an end. What truly matters is how you use your knowledge.
A person with a strong mindset—someone who embraces challenges, identifies non-tech value, learns from failure, and constantly questions the status quo—will always outperform someone who relies solely on technical expertise. The AI pioneers of tomorrow will be those who can think beyond the obvious, ask important ethical questions, and envision solutions to problems the rest of us haven’t even noticed yet.
The irony is that traditional education, particularly in AI, often focuses on rote learning and predefined pathways. It trains people to solve yesterday’s problems, not tomorrow’s. This is why many of the best minds in AI today didn’t follow conventional academic routes—they thrived because they cultivated a mindset that valued business-centric thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning.
Traditional education systems are often criticized for being outdated. Do you believe they are failing to prepare students for the future of AI?
Boris Kriuk: Absolutely. Traditional education systems are largely designed for an industrial-age economy. They reward conformity, standardized testing, and linear thinking—all of which are ill-suited to the dynamic, nonlinear world of AI.
For instance, students are still taught to memorize formulas and follow rigid processes. But in AI, success often involves breaking processes, experimenting with unconventional methods, challenging the rules, and communicating your ideas to the group of people. These are the traits that will define the leaders of tomorrow—not their ability to recite algorithms from memory, or fine-tune hyperparametres of the model.
Many young professionals struggle to stand out in the competitive AI industry. What advice would you give them?
Boris Kriuk: The first thing I tell students is to stop worrying about being “the smartest person in the room.” Intelligence is valuable, but it’s not enough. What will set you apart is your ability to collaborate, empathize, and bring fresh perspectives to the table.
I also encourage them to embrace failure. In AI, failure is not a setback—it’s data. Every “mistake” teaches you something new, whether it’s about the technology, the problem, or yourself.
Finally, I urge them to focus on the big picture. AI isn’t just about coding or building models; it’s about solving real-world problems and creating meaningful impact. When you approach your work with a sense of purpose, success naturally follows.
What do you hope to see in the future of AI education?
Boris Kriuk: My hope is that we move away from producing “AI specialists” and start cultivating “AI thinkers.” These are individuals who not only understand the technology but also its broader implications—social, ethical, and philosophical.
I also hope to see more inclusivity. AI has the potential to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges, but only if we involve diverse voices in the conversation. When more young people from different backgrounds enter the field with the right mindset, we’ll see innovation on a scale we can’t even imagine today.
Final thoughts?
Boris Kriuk: The future of AI isn’t just about algorithms or data—it’s about people. If we want to unlock the full potential of this technology, we need to invest in the human side of education.
Mindset will always matter more than skill because it is the foundation for everything else. I encourage everyone—students, educators, and professionals alike—to embrace the mindset-centric technology thinking, stay curious, and never stop learning.
