The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Value of a University Degree
For years, the tech industry was seen as a land of opportunity. Companies were competing for graduates, salaries were high, and job stability was almost guaranteed. However, that certainty is fading away. Layoffs and massive job cuts in the tech sector are turning the once promising career path into one filled with uncertainty.
The disappointment of a generation that dreamed of stability
A young woman named Mishra, who graduated in computer science, became the voice of thousands of disillusioned youth. She revealed that after finishing her degree, the only company that contacted her for an interview was Chipotle. Her story, which went viral on social media, reflects the sharp decline of a job market that was once insatiable. Unable to find a place in software development, Mishra unexpectedly found an opportunity on TikTok.
Artificial intelligence and layoffs: the perfect storm
On one hand, tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Intel, and Meta have announced massive layoffs in the past year, drastically reducing job openings. On the other hand, artificial intelligence has changed the rules of the game: assistants capable of generating thousands of lines of code in seconds are reducing the need to hire junior programmers. This has shifted the landscape where computer science no longer guarantees immediate employment.
The numbers revealing the crisis
Recent data confirms the magnitude of the problem: the unemployment rate among computer science graduates has reached 6.1%, double that of disciplines like biology. What was once a privileged profile has now become a vulnerable group, forced to reinvent themselves in the face of an unforeseen scenario. In contrast, cybersecurity and data management are emerging as new areas of opportunity, although they are still insufficient to absorb an entire generation of young professionals.
The story of Mishra is more than just an anecdote; it reflects a changing era. Computer science, a symbol of digital progress, is now facing its own challenges. The artificial intelligence born from its realm threatens to displace those who once dreamed of building the future and now must once again find where they fit in.
