Is it true that software engineering is a thing of the past?

Fears of AI stealing jobs are widespread, but the reality is that demand for software engineers is still soaring. Instead of being laid off, engineers are learning how to manage AI agents, turning artificial intelligence into a powerful tool.

Computer science and engineering students at the University of Washington, who were baffled by AI, returned from spring break last week and received a surprise email from their dean.

"I am writing this letter because I am constantly hearing concerns about AI and the future of computer science careers," Magdalena Balazinska, director of the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington, wrote to more than 2,000 undergraduate students.

Her message was clear: AI is not eliminating job opportunities, but expanding them.

AI tools like Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's Codex are changing the role of developers.

They perform less routine programming work and spend more time overseeing teams of agents writing AI code, as well as designing software architecture and generating ideas.

AI tools help young, recently graduated engineers take on tasks previously required of experienced professionals. Photo: Du Lam

Amanda Richardson, CEO of CoderPad—a recruitment platform used by companies to interview software engineers—said: "This job will take on a different look, but that doesn't mean it's going to disappear. The best engineers are spending every day working with AI and using it to improve their designs."

According to analysis by Citadel Securities, software engineer job postings on the Indeed platform have increased by 11% annually, a faster pace than the overall recruitment landscape.

A Bank of America survey shows that companies are expanding their software budgets and increasing the number of engineering personnel. The long-term outlook for this job also appears strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that software developer jobs will increase by 15% by 2034.

Most computer science students at the University of Washington are still taking on full-time engineering positions in the technology industry after graduation, Balazinska told students in an email.

James Bessen, executive director of the Technology & Policy Research Initiative at Boston University, notes that industries that have historically experienced rapid technological change have consistently shown job growth, and software development could be the latest example.

New technologies not only replace human labor with machines, but they also reduce costs and improve product quality. This increases customer demand and boosts employment.

Frank Nagle, a research scientist at MIT's Digital Economy Initiative, says that companies that rise to the top will be those that know how to connect lower-level AI experts with senior staff who understand the industry.

Companies, from giants like IBM to startups like Intuit, are scaling up their recruitment for new positions, including software engineers.

They can use AI to take on tasks that previously required experienced developers, while also freeing up time to work directly with clients.

'Roll up your sleeves'

This remains a tense time for developers. As businesses ramp up spending on AI, they are also looking for ways to cut costs.

Computer science graduates reported struggling to find jobs last year, while tech giants like Oracle, Amazon, and Microsoft laid off tens of thousands of employees in recent months.

Lower-level employees are scrambling to adapt to the AI ​​era. With the rapid pace of AI evolution, they will have to continue learning new skills and find ways to use this technology to make a difference.

Clients and colleagues frequently ask Balazs about the future of this work and whether software development is a worthwhile career to pursue.

His answer was: Companies are always eager to hire developers who know how to control AI.

Magdalena Balazinska also had a similar message for computer science students: "Roll up your sleeves, embrace change, and keep learning," she advised.

There will be many more technological breakthroughs between now and retirement. That's what makes this field "so incredibly exciting."

(According to CNN)

Students are losing critical thinking skills and core competencies due to over-reliance on artificial intelligence . A new survey in the UK shows that students are losing core skills such as critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving due to the overuse of artificial intelligence. Teachers warn that this dependence is devastating the foundation of basic learning.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/co-that-ky-su-phan-mem-da-het-thoi-2504929.html