The First Step in the Disintermediation of University Education

This article by Greg Twemlow examines the potential disintermediation of higher education through the lens of a new, industry-backed fellowship model. It suggests that artificial intelligence is eroding traditional entry-level career paths, forcing a shift towards experiential learning and project-based "formation" outside the university system. By bypassing standard degrees, these new alternative architectures allow students to build Formation Portfolios that offer direct evidence of their practical skills to major employers. While universities remain essential for broad intellectual inquiry, they now face competition from flexible networks that can adapt more rapidly to the evolving workforce. Ultimately, the author argues that individuals must take greater personal agency in navigating their own professional development in an increasingly automated world. Read the article.

About the Author - Greg Twemlow writes and teaches at the intersection of technology, education, and human judgment. He works with educators and businesses to make AI explainable and assessable in classrooms and boardrooms — to ensure AI users show their process and own their decisions. His cognition protocol, the Context & Critique Rule™, is built on a three-step process: Evidence → Cognition → Discernment — a bridge from what’s scattered to what’s chosen. Context & Critique → Accountable AI™. © 2025 Greg Twemlow. “Context & Critique → Accountable AI” and “Context & Critique Rule” are unregistered trademarks (™).