AI now writes 25% of code in the US: Should Computer Science students rethink their career plans?

Time of India

4 hours ago

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just supporting programmers—it's actively writing code. According to insights published by
The Atlantic
, major U.S. tech companies like Microsoft and Alphabet now rely on artificial intelligence to generate nearly 25% of their code.
As generative tools become deeply integrated into software development workflows, they're not only boosting productivity—but also raising difficult questions about the future of entry-level tech jobs.
Tech jobs shift as AI takes over
AI's growing role in software development isn't just a behind-the-scenes shift—it's showing up in employment data. According to
The Atlantic
, the number of 22–27-year-olds employed in computer science and math roles has dropped by 8% in recent years.
While some of this is attributed to tech layoffs, automation is also playing a central role.
Even tech companies acknowledge the shift. Executives at Microsoft and Google's parent company Alphabet have already confirmed the impact of AI on their code output. Meanwhile, at startups like Anthropic, AI models are replacing the need for junior-level coders altogether.
Software jobs seen as most at risk
These fears aren't just limited to hiring managers and academics.
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A 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that 48% of Americans believe software engineers will be among the professions most affected by AI in the coming years. That's a higher percentage than for teachers, journalists, or accountants. While manual labor was long seen as most vulnerable to automation, high-skilled roles are now increasingly at risk—starting with tech.
Why students are dropping CS
While employees in the tech market are worried, the impact of this phenomenon is also seen among tech students. After years of explosive growth, computer science enrollment is flattening. According to recent data referenced in
The Atlantic
, national growth in CS majors in the U.S.
has slowed to just 0.2% this year. At elite institutions such as Princeton and Stanford, once considered pipelines to Silicon Valley, the number of CS undergraduates has either plateaued or started to decline. Princeton's department, for instance, anticipates a nearly 25% drop in majors within two years.
Students have now become increasingly cautious. With mass layoffs in big tech, changing visa norms, and rising uncertainty around the long-term role of junior programmers, CS is no longer the default 'safe bet' it once seemed.
The road ahead for Computer Science majors
The shifting ground poses serious questions for universities and future students. Should colleges reduce CS department sizes? Are interdisciplinary programs—like CS with ethics, bioinformatics, or design—better suited for an AI-enhanced future?
And for students: If AI can write your code, what skills will set you apart? The answer may lie in hybrid expertise—combining technical literacy with creativity, strategy, and human-centered design.
The next generation of engineers may need to be less about syntax and more about systems thinking.
To be clear, computer science isn't dying—but it's evolving. Demand for AI-literate engineers, machine learning experts, and cybersecurity professionals remains strong. However, the pathway to these roles is becoming steeper and more selective.
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