New data shows that nearly 70% of workers feel unprepared for today’s workforce, raising bigger questions about how we define job readiness. In this episode, Ryan Alford sits down with Ryan Lufkin of Instructure to unpack what’s actually broken in education and how AI is accelerating the gap between learning and real-world skills.

They explore why AI isn’t replacing expertise but instead demands stronger critical thinking, communication, and human judgment. The conversation also challenges whether schools are teaching the wrong things—or simply teaching them the wrong way.

From the rise of lifelong learning to the debate between skills and degrees, this episode highlights what both employers and educators need to rethink to prepare the next generation.

• 70% of workers feel unprepared – What’s driving the growing skills gap in today’s workforce

• AI in education and work – Why AI requires more expertise, not less

• Skills vs degrees – Are traditional degrees still the best signal for employers?

• The problem with modern education – Teaching the wrong things vs teaching the wrong way

• Lifelong learning – Why continuous upskilling is now required for career growth

• Breaking workplace “boxes” – How AI is empowering employees to operate across roles

Ryan Lufkin
VP of Global Strategy — Instructure (Canvas)
Website: https://www.instructure.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlufkin

Podcast: EduCast3000

Ryan Alford
Host — Right About Now
Website RyanIsRight.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryanalford
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanalford