As Thailand follows global trends in technology and education, startling new research from the United States points to a dramatic shift in what once seemed a guaranteed path to prosperity: a degree in computer science. After two decades of surging interest and swelling enrollments, the once-booming computer-science major appears to have peaked. For Thai students and families seeking the best choices for higher education and employability, the unfolding story in America offers timely warnings and vital insights.
For years, the narrative worldwide — echoed in Thai classrooms, guidance offices, and IT industry conferences — was clear: computer science was not merely a safe bet, it was the “job of the future.” According to The Atlantic, from 2005 to 2023, the number of computer science majors in the US quadrupled, mirroring increasing interest in Thai universities where computer science programs have long seen fierce competition for admissions (The Atlantic). But in 2025, for the first time in recent memory, US national enrollment growth in computer science slowed to a near-standstill — just 0.2 percent. At elite institutions such as Stanford University, previously considered a gold standard for aspiring coders worldwide, student numbers have plateaued after years of remarkable growth. At other top universities, the decline is more pronounced: Princeton University expects a 25% drop in graduating computer-science students within two years; Duke University reports a 20% decrease in introductory computer-science class enrollments over the past year.
Why the sudden chill? The chief culprit is the new wave of artificial intelligence (AI) that is disrupting not only the kinds of jobs computer-science students once chased, but also the hiring patterns of the very industries set to dominate the 21st-century economy. As AI tools increasingly write and debug code, companies require fewer entry-level programmers. A recent Pew Research Center study found that Americans believe software engineers — ironically, the architects of automation — are most at risk of disruption by generative AI (Pew Research Center). In response, students are choosing other majors, signaling a new, uncertain era.
Interviews with US university professors and students paint a stark picture. One US doctoral candidate, despite earning multiple degrees in computer science and AI, has sent out hundreds of job applications with little success. The message: getting trained in the technologies of the future is no longer a guaranteed ticket to employment — even for the most qualified or for those educated at top international institutions. Professors from major US universities, once accustomed to fending off recruiters, now see their graduates scrambling for work, sometimes considering careers in fields like electrical trades for better job security.
These changes are borne out in employment data: while jobs for fresh college graduates in other fields have grown modestly in the last three years, jobs for computer science and math graduates aged 22-27 dropped by 8 percent in the US during the same period. Tech giants like Alphabet (Google) and Microsoft have publicly stated that AI now writes or assists with up to 25% of their code, reducing the need for junior developers. Microsoft recently laid off 6,000 workers, with senior engineers at AI firms reportedly delegating coding work to chatbots instead of human employees (The New York Times, referenced in The Atlantic).
Industry leaders admit that AI could soon eliminate entire tiers of entry-level positions, a concern echoed by research fellows at leading think tanks. Experts like one Brookings Institution scholar warn that the situation for tech graduates today could soon become the norm for many entry-level white-collar occupations, not just in the US but globally. The rapid adoption of AI in core business operations means efficiency gains for companies, but the risk of narrowing employment opportunities for new graduates.
Still, some economists and education researchers caution against blaming AI for all setbacks. The tech sector is known for cyclical hiring booms and busts; current woes might also reflect high interest rates, global economic turbulence, or temporary strategy shifts as firms adjust to rapidly evolving technologies. According to the Director of Research at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, companies also have an incentive to blame technology rather than structural or market challenges. One Harvard economist notes that, despite clear advances in AI capability, the reshaping of jobs and roles might take longer to emerge than headlines suggest. “Before we see big changes from AI in the labor market,” he said, “companies have to internalize this new capability and change what they ask for. And that’s the thing that I have not seen very much of.”
Historical data shows that interest in computer science tends to decline when job prospects dim, only to rebound later as shortages lead to higher salaries. Some institutions, such as the University of Chicago, report steady or even growing enrollments, and experts like an MIT computer science professor forecast that the rise of generative AI may ultimately create more jobs for software engineers in the long run as new kinds of tasks and innovation cycles emerge.
But as uncertainty grows, many students are reconsidering their approach to higher education. Some researchers recommend majoring in subjects that teach adaptable, transferable “soft skills,” such as critical thinking, communication, and the ability to learn across disciplines — skills that liberal arts or humanities-based educations can provide. In fact, long-term data suggests that social science and history graduates may out-earn their engineering and computer-science peers as they build versatile competencies valued by a wide range of employers (Harvard Kennedy School research). The advice: seek future-proof skills for careers that could span 45 years in a rapidly changing landscape.
For Thailand, where digital transformation is a key national goal, these findings urge a nuanced approach. Local universities and policy planners have invested heavily in computer science and digital skills training — reflected in the surging number of programs and scholarships aligned with Thailand 4.0 and similar strategies (Thailand Board of Investment). Many Thai families continue to encourage children to pursue careers in tech, given the country’s strong push for IT-driven economic growth. However, as the US case illustrates, rapid technological leaps — especially in AI — can paradoxically reduce the demand for junior tech talent precisely when industry ambition seems greatest.
The challenge is amplified by local structural factors. In Thailand, the tech workforce remains strongly concentrated in Bangkok and a handful of urban centers; rural talent pipelines, access to advanced research, and continuous learning ecosystems lag behind global tech hubs (UNESCO Bangkok). Thai graduates already face intense competition from cheaper regional labor and increasingly advanced automation. As AI tools become more sophisticated and implementation costs fall, the pressure on new IT graduates could grow further.
Even so, opportunities remain — not only for tech roles that involve creativity, cross-discipline work, and human-AI collaboration, but for those able to adapt to evolving labor market demands. Recent Thai government initiatives stress “upskilling” and “reskilling” in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and language skills, with pilot programs in vocational high schools and universities across the country (Thailand Ministry of Education). The situation described in the US, where “soft skills” and professional flexibility are increasingly prized, closely matches the local push to build a 21st-century workforce that is digitally savvy, entrepreneurial, and internationally competitive. Tech jobs might not be disappearing, but becoming harder to enter through conventional education paths alone.
Culturally, Thai society has long placed high value on education as both a mark of personal achievement and a gateway to a better life. Parents and students now face the task of weighing these deep-seated aspirations against an evolving global labor market. While “learn to code” once seemed the most prudent career advice, pragmatic decision-making may now require diversifying skill sets — blending technical know-how with adaptability, interpersonal skills, and a willingness to learn throughout life.
Looking ahead, the global shift highlighted in the new US research underscores that the future of work will not reward rote skill acquisition, but rather, the ability to adapt, collaborate, and learn in dynamic environments. For Thai students, universities, and policymakers, the lesson is clear: invest in flexible, lifelong learning pathways, and be prepared for careers that may defy traditional classifications. Partnerships between universities and industry, expanded support for co-op and internship experiences, and a rebalancing of curricula to emphasize communication, teamwork, and digital literacy may offer tomorrow’s graduates the best chance to prosper.
For Thai families and prospective students weighing what to study in university, the best recommendation now is to pursue a well-rounded education: one that includes, but is not limited to, technical skills. Examine university curricula not only for cutting-edge programs in AI and data science, but also for their capacity to teach problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking. Engage with career counselors about emerging trends in automation and global labor markets. Encourage job shadowing, hands-on experience, and interdisciplinary study. Remember that adaptability — the willingness to reskill and shift direction — is perhaps the most valuable “future skill” of all.
For further information, readers may consult the original article in The Atlantic (The Atlantic), recent updates from the Pew Research Center (Pew Research Center), and advisories from the Thailand Ministry of Education (Ministry of Education) for updates on curricular reforms and digital skills policies.