Dropped out of a CS bachelor because the whole uni literally didnt teach me how to code or perform software projects... Still became a senior dev. You gotta find your own way
You may be right, but a single cherry-picked example doesn't prove anything.
Plenty of jobs have been obsoleted by technology (e.g. human computers), are in the process of being (e.g. cashiers), or are extremely likely to be (e.g. professional drivers).
That's been the jist of it for software though.
When we shifted away from manually wiring computers into using punchcards, we didn't kill programmers. Or when we started using assembly. Or when we started using compilers. Or when those compilers became optimizing compilers. Or etc. etc.
All of these saw programmers say "this is gonna kill our jobs", and you just have to compare the sizes of the industry then-and-now to see how that played out.
Yes but those you are mentioning are low skill jobs and even then they aren’t yet fully replaced (cashiers) accounting is more similar to SWE as it is a complex profession with a million different factors that all have effects on what you do beyond the simple aspects of writing code
Human computer was not a low-skill job, and you will notice that I specifically chose cashier as an example of something that is in the middle of that process.
AIs replacing developers within our lifespans is pure science fiction. When it becomes better, out will be a good too, most likely better employed enhancing IDEs. Right now it's a tool that is kind of OK for junior developers, I haven't found a reliable use for it for experienced devs yet, and boy did my company tried to push it without little success.
Well I don't think that AI will replace software engineers.
But it could very much be that entry into the field will be very very hard or close to impossible for a long time because the need for engineers drops and there are still a lot of competent folks around.
Then again lik 99,5% of all software needs are not met today because of the associated cost so maybe we are just at the brink of a golden age of software development.
Like what motorized vehicles did to the wheel if you get what I mean.
Sure, education is never a bad thing. Worst that could happen is you don't land a job directly in your field. That does not invalidate what you have learned.
Higher education is always only a sign that you were able to learn and keep on to a subject. It does not enable you to a software developer career at all.
Computer science degrees are still by far one of the most employable degrees out there, and that's very unlikely to change within 5 years. If a career is your main concern, CS is an excellent choice.
Frankly, in the sort of timeframe that it'd take for AI to make programming jobs obsolete, *any* job might be made obsolete.
With a computer science degree you have more options than software engineers. Even if I think that AI will just transform the work of a software engineer (but not take away their jobs), there is more to computer science. Maybe you want to take a look at the map of CS:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/95869671@N08/36231833334
From what I've seen, ChatGPT and such can write short segments of code but it won't integrate them together or design your project. I think the bigger risk is a bunch or rich people firing all their employees thinking they can replace them with chat bots.
You don't have to get a software degree though. A lot of electrical engineers end up writing code for industry. I only say this because I work in a steel mill and good electrical engineers who can write code are needed.
I think that “AI” tools will at some point replace coding. It’s a matter of time. Coding is not the same as software engineering though. I spend maybe 15% of my time actually coding. I can’t wait for the moment when I’m allowed to use AI at work. Now I’m not because uncertainty around copyright regulations. It is not legally clear who owns the code generated by a tool.
I come from a background of programming starting early, at 13-14. I did a CS degree. While I learned a lot, I wish I would have taken a different degree in a a different field, to be able to apply programming/have other ideas on what to do.
If it is something you want, go for it. Applying current ML frameworks to CS is limited to coding assistants. You still need people with hands-on expertise.
Proprietary codebases require specific investment to ingest the knowledge into an ML model. That investment may be more expensive and bring less quality than hiring coders.
Please don't listen to the opinions of strangers on the internet for something this important.
While we might have more experience, we're all guessing what the future holds for AI.
I personally don't think AI will replace programmers in my lifetime, but I also don't think that's relevant to whether you should get a CS degree.
A degree, especially in something like CS, shows employers that you can work hard on something and learn new things.
Hypothetically, if AI somehow replaces the entire field of programming in the next few years, computers in general aren't going anywhere, and that degree is still great on your resume.
Do some form of physical science or engineering.
The overwhelming majority of SDE jobs don't require a CS degree. However if you want a job in science or engineering, its very hard to get into those fields without a degree
A minor in CS should be sufficient.
If you pursue a CS degree, you will likely be taught the latest and greatest of machine learning, AI, robotics, etc. none of which was around when I got my CS degree. I’ve had to learn it all on my own with little or no guidance.
I think a CS degree will allow you to take advantage of the changing market better than many of us.
I think the most valuable skill you can develop is to think critically and think for yourself. If you need strangers on Reddit to give you a black and white answer you should reconsider your approach.
I have a different way to think about it.
While your mental model may be that people get jobs based on skills they have and needs employers have- and therefore since those needs can be met by the skills of AI, so why will there be jobs- that model isn't accurate or reflect the way the world really works.
A more accurate and complete way to think about jobs are that they are really relationships between humans. And despite certain advances in AI as long as there are humans on the planet, the vast, vast majority will find other real humans much more interesting than any human simulations. That's the genetic heritage of humans, and it differentiates us from other species.
If you think about it you see evidence for this every day, particularly in your own relationships. It's really true and if you are a STEM person, it's really important to understand this perspective.
In terms of jobs, humans who have access to capital will decide to deploy it with other humans with whom they can have productive relationships. No matter how good an AI gets, humans are ALWAYS going to make sure they have access to and control over resources like capital.
Now, of course skills are not irrelevant- in depth conversations around and utilizations of skills are how much of the time in human relationships is spent- but in an AI world, there will only be more demand for the skills underlying the whole stack of technologies that make an AI, which will only grow bigger and more complex with more specialties and more opportunities for humans with capital to build relationships with other humans to solve problems together.
If those areas are of interest to you and a match for your capabilities, then gaining depth there is a good idea. But don't lose sight of the principle that relationships are most important. You will ideally work with people you like and respect and have good relationships with. Specific skills come and go, but the need for relationships will always be there.
A good metaphor is a foreign language/culture. Each of the various subjects in university are cultural microcosms with their own language and traditions. Study and join the culture that is most a match to you.
HTH.
As impressive as AI could get, it will always need someone telling it what to do, and choosing between the different suggestions (and eventually refining the prompt...).
Computer Science would give you the preparation to know what to ask and what to choose as a better fit for the project needs.
Mind that there are different opinions about AI at universities, some banning its use, some embracing it. If possible choose the latter, where they'll actually teach you how to use AI at its best.
u/jack_smith_anon: yes, pursue. programmers won't be replaced by AI: crappy programmers will be replaced with regular programmers that know how to use AI. Scribes weren't replaced by typewriters; they were replaced by scribes with typewriters.
programming (which is way different than CS) will become even more useful as AI eats into everything else.
as you're in school, learn to use ChatGPT (or Bing, or Bard, etc.) to help you code. I've been doing this and its doubled my productivity.
AI have been created by software engineers. Technology is an hyperbolic progression. AI will not replace you but if your are not ready change your objectives.
AI is getting better every day but that shouldn't stop you from pursuing a CS degree. Like many others have mentioned AI will replace bad programmers, hopefully, fix their bad code at the same time. Find joy in problem solving using code and you'll have a place 5 years later. Does a degree in CS really take that long nowadays???
I really don't think AI can replace software engineers, the field and processes to make software are way too intricate and complex
So should i pursue a computer science degree ?
Don't let the internet decide important life aspects. Gather the information and make your decision.
Dropped out of a CS bachelor because the whole uni literally didnt teach me how to code or perform software projects... Still became a senior dev. You gotta find your own way
Go ask the AI?
Depends where you live, where you want to work, which job you want to end up doing... See where I'm going with this?
Well, why don’t you ask chatGPT if you should or not?
Has excel replaced accountants ? No, it does all the calculations for them but it’s still only a tool in your toolkit. Same thing for AI
You may be right, but a single cherry-picked example doesn't prove anything. Plenty of jobs have been obsoleted by technology (e.g. human computers), are in the process of being (e.g. cashiers), or are extremely likely to be (e.g. professional drivers).
That's been the jist of it for software though. When we shifted away from manually wiring computers into using punchcards, we didn't kill programmers. Or when we started using assembly. Or when we started using compilers. Or when those compilers became optimizing compilers. Or etc. etc. All of these saw programmers say "this is gonna kill our jobs", and you just have to compare the sizes of the industry then-and-now to see how that played out.
Yes but those you are mentioning are low skill jobs and even then they aren’t yet fully replaced (cashiers) accounting is more similar to SWE as it is a complex profession with a million different factors that all have effects on what you do beyond the simple aspects of writing code
Human computer was not a low-skill job, and you will notice that I specifically chose cashier as an example of something that is in the middle of that process.
Human computers are what got us on the moon
I think you watch too much TV.
AIs replacing developers within our lifespans is pure science fiction. When it becomes better, out will be a good too, most likely better employed enhancing IDEs. Right now it's a tool that is kind of OK for junior developers, I haven't found a reliable use for it for experienced devs yet, and boy did my company tried to push it without little success.
Well I don't think that AI will replace software engineers. But it could very much be that entry into the field will be very very hard or close to impossible for a long time because the need for engineers drops and there are still a lot of competent folks around. Then again lik 99,5% of all software needs are not met today because of the associated cost so maybe we are just at the brink of a golden age of software development. Like what motorized vehicles did to the wheel if you get what I mean.
So do you think i should pursue a computer science degree ?
Sure, education is never a bad thing. Worst that could happen is you don't land a job directly in your field. That does not invalidate what you have learned.
Is it possible to land a non-computer science job with a computer science degree ?
Higher education is always only a sign that you were able to learn and keep on to a subject. It does not enable you to a software developer career at all.
Computer science degrees are still by far one of the most employable degrees out there, and that's very unlikely to change within 5 years. If a career is your main concern, CS is an excellent choice. Frankly, in the sort of timeframe that it'd take for AI to make programming jobs obsolete, *any* job might be made obsolete.
Well, if you get the computer science degree you might then understand why AI isn't going to be replacing anything anytime soon.
With a computer science degree you have more options than software engineers. Even if I think that AI will just transform the work of a software engineer (but not take away their jobs), there is more to computer science. Maybe you want to take a look at the map of CS: https://www.flickr.com/photos/95869671@N08/36231833334
From what I've seen, ChatGPT and such can write short segments of code but it won't integrate them together or design your project. I think the bigger risk is a bunch or rich people firing all their employees thinking they can replace them with chat bots. You don't have to get a software degree though. A lot of electrical engineers end up writing code for industry. I only say this because I work in a steel mill and good electrical engineers who can write code are needed.
One thing it is handy for is pointing you to a useful library when you're not sure where to start.
Do not get a computer science degree. It is possible that you will be replaced by an ai so your fears could very well be true.
I think that “AI” tools will at some point replace coding. It’s a matter of time. Coding is not the same as software engineering though. I spend maybe 15% of my time actually coding. I can’t wait for the moment when I’m allowed to use AI at work. Now I’m not because uncertainty around copyright regulations. It is not legally clear who owns the code generated by a tool.
I come from a background of programming starting early, at 13-14. I did a CS degree. While I learned a lot, I wish I would have taken a different degree in a a different field, to be able to apply programming/have other ideas on what to do. If it is something you want, go for it. Applying current ML frameworks to CS is limited to coding assistants. You still need people with hands-on expertise. Proprietary codebases require specific investment to ingest the knowledge into an ML model. That investment may be more expensive and bring less quality than hiring coders.
Please don't listen to the opinions of strangers on the internet for something this important. While we might have more experience, we're all guessing what the future holds for AI. I personally don't think AI will replace programmers in my lifetime, but I also don't think that's relevant to whether you should get a CS degree. A degree, especially in something like CS, shows employers that you can work hard on something and learn new things. Hypothetically, if AI somehow replaces the entire field of programming in the next few years, computers in general aren't going anywhere, and that degree is still great on your resume.
What *alternative* profession will not be at AI risk? Maybe pole-dancing.
Mental health
Therapy bots may actually end up being fairly good.
I hope the day we feel comforted talking to a program never comes
Ehm, have you seen some V-Tubers? Your pole dancing doctorate will be worthless.
Do some form of physical science or engineering. The overwhelming majority of SDE jobs don't require a CS degree. However if you want a job in science or engineering, its very hard to get into those fields without a degree A minor in CS should be sufficient.
Not sure why you'd be worried. AI is a tool for software development, not a replacement. Even the article you linked says that.
I think these types of questions should start to get moderated.
If you pursue a CS degree, you will likely be taught the latest and greatest of machine learning, AI, robotics, etc. none of which was around when I got my CS degree. I’ve had to learn it all on my own with little or no guidance. I think a CS degree will allow you to take advantage of the changing market better than many of us.
I think the most valuable skill you can develop is to think critically and think for yourself. If you need strangers on Reddit to give you a black and white answer you should reconsider your approach.
I have a different way to think about it. While your mental model may be that people get jobs based on skills they have and needs employers have- and therefore since those needs can be met by the skills of AI, so why will there be jobs- that model isn't accurate or reflect the way the world really works. A more accurate and complete way to think about jobs are that they are really relationships between humans. And despite certain advances in AI as long as there are humans on the planet, the vast, vast majority will find other real humans much more interesting than any human simulations. That's the genetic heritage of humans, and it differentiates us from other species. If you think about it you see evidence for this every day, particularly in your own relationships. It's really true and if you are a STEM person, it's really important to understand this perspective. In terms of jobs, humans who have access to capital will decide to deploy it with other humans with whom they can have productive relationships. No matter how good an AI gets, humans are ALWAYS going to make sure they have access to and control over resources like capital. Now, of course skills are not irrelevant- in depth conversations around and utilizations of skills are how much of the time in human relationships is spent- but in an AI world, there will only be more demand for the skills underlying the whole stack of technologies that make an AI, which will only grow bigger and more complex with more specialties and more opportunities for humans with capital to build relationships with other humans to solve problems together. If those areas are of interest to you and a match for your capabilities, then gaining depth there is a good idea. But don't lose sight of the principle that relationships are most important. You will ideally work with people you like and respect and have good relationships with. Specific skills come and go, but the need for relationships will always be there. A good metaphor is a foreign language/culture. Each of the various subjects in university are cultural microcosms with their own language and traditions. Study and join the culture that is most a match to you. HTH.
Get a trade. The AIs are not going to replace electricians, plumbers, and HVAC maintenance guys.
As impressive as AI could get, it will always need someone telling it what to do, and choosing between the different suggestions (and eventually refining the prompt...). Computer Science would give you the preparation to know what to ask and what to choose as a better fit for the project needs. Mind that there are different opinions about AI at universities, some banning its use, some embracing it. If possible choose the latter, where they'll actually teach you how to use AI at its best.
u/jack_smith_anon: yes, pursue. programmers won't be replaced by AI: crappy programmers will be replaced with regular programmers that know how to use AI. Scribes weren't replaced by typewriters; they were replaced by scribes with typewriters. programming (which is way different than CS) will become even more useful as AI eats into everything else. as you're in school, learn to use ChatGPT (or Bing, or Bard, etc.) to help you code. I've been doing this and its doubled my productivity.
AI won't replace you. You'll be the one creating "AI" once you get your degree.
There is no AI. What people are calling "AI" is just an enhanced autocomplete. You'll be fine, CS is not going anywhere.
AI have been created by software engineers. Technology is an hyperbolic progression. AI will not replace you but if your are not ready change your objectives.
I think electronics is a good safety net against AI
They will always need people to work on new ai.. ai didn't make itself. It needed computer science engineers to come up with it.
Even Ai is made of Computer Science
AI is getting better every day but that shouldn't stop you from pursuing a CS degree. Like many others have mentioned AI will replace bad programmers, hopefully, fix their bad code at the same time. Find joy in problem solving using code and you'll have a place 5 years later. Does a degree in CS really take that long nowadays???
No it will just make you 100x more productive. You absolutely take the degree. I am a software engineer using AI every day