#Coding

Across Bangkok’s gleaming tech districts and Thailand’s rural villages, a widening educational gap threatens the nation’s digital ambitions. Global analyses show many schools still miss basic computer science instruction, leaving millions unprepared for an economy shaped by artificial intelligence and automation. In Bangkok, a thriving tech scene contrasts with remote provinces where students have far fewer opportunities to develop computational skills.

Data from international assessments reveal that only about half of public high schools in advanced economies provide meaningful computational thinking education, and rural schools face the strongest barriers. In Thailand, urban centers such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai generally offer stronger technology programs, while northeastern provinces and southern fishing communities lag behind. This gap risks turning Thailand into a nation of digital consumers rather than creators, undermining the goal of becoming a regional technology hub.

A new report reveals that half of high schools in New York’s Capital Region do not offer any computer science courses, sparking concern among educators, policymakers, and technology experts about whether students are being adequately prepared for an artificial intelligence-driven future. The findings, published by the Center for an Urban Future, highlight a pervasive gap in foundational technology education just as computational literacy becomes an increasingly essential skill for navigating tomorrow’s job market (Times Union).

In Bangkok’s gleaming technology districts and Thailand’s remote rural villages, a critical educational divide threatens the nation’s digital ambitions. Recent analysis of global education patterns reveals that vast numbers of schools worldwide—including half of all high schools in developed regions—fail to offer basic computer science instruction, leaving millions of students unprepared for an economy increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and digital automation.

The Center for an Urban Future’s comprehensive report on New York State education exposes a troubling reality that mirrors challenges across Southeast Asia. Despite government rhetoric about digital transformation and Thailand 4.0 initiatives, foundational computational skills remain absent from most Thai classrooms. This educational gap threatens to create a generation of digital consumers rather than digital creators, potentially undermining Thailand’s ambitious plans to become a regional technology hub.

A pivotal debate is unfolding in Thailand: as AI tools increasingly generate code, does traditional computer science education still matter? Industry leaders say yes. They argue that formal CS study remains essential for developing deep computational thinking, robust problem-solving skills, and the ability to design reliable systems—capabilities that go beyond writing syntax. The message carries particular weight for Thailand’s ambitions to grow a resilient digital economy and for thousands of students charting technology careers in an AI-driven future.

Thailand’s students and educators grapple with a fundamental question as artificial intelligence transforms software development: Do traditional computer science degrees retain their value when AI tools can generate code automatically? Recent statements from OpenAI’s leadership provide decisive clarity on this debate, emphasizing that formal computer science education becomes more crucial, not less relevant, as AI reshapes the technology landscape. These insights carry particular significance for Thailand’s digital economy ambitions and the thousands of students considering technology careers in an AI-dominated future.

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries around the world, many students and parents in Thailand and beyond wonder if traditional computer science (CS) degrees remain relevant. Recent remarks by the chairman of OpenAI, one of the leading players in the global AI revolution, offer a reassuring perspective: formal computer science education is still crucial—even as AI tools increasingly automate much of the coding process (Business Insider).

The debate centers on a major change in the way software is built. AI-assisted coding tools such as OpenAI’s Codex, Anthropic’s Claude Code, Cursor, and Replit are designed to let engineers write less code by simply instructing AI systems with prompts and then reviewing the generated output. The vision of a “vibe-coding” future, where coding is driven by natural language rather than technical syntax, is advancing rapidly. At Google, for example, chief executive Sundar Pichai recently revealed that AI now writes 30% of the company’s new code.

The technology job market has always valued practical skills, but new research and expert commentary are now challenging the long-standing dominance of computer science (CS) degrees for programming jobs. A recent article published by CIO, “12 reasons to ignore computer science degrees,” argues that shifts in industry needs and the explosive growth of AI and no-code tools are quickly eroding the value of traditional CS education, sparking debate among tech leaders and educators worldwide. As companies in Thailand continue to expand their digital ambitions, the question of whether a CS degree remains necessary has become increasingly urgent for students, parents, and employers across the kingdom.

The tech job market has long rewarded practical skills, but new research and expert commentary are challenging the dominance of traditional computer science (CS) degrees for programming roles. A CIO article argues that shifts in industry needs and the rise of AI and no-code tools are eroding the value of conventional CS education. As Thai organizations expand their digital ambitions, students, parents, and employers across the kingdom are asking: is a CS degree still necessary?

Thailand’s aspiring tech professionals have long looked to computer science as a sure path to lucrative employment. However, new research suggests this once-reliable route may be faltering—reflecting unexpected global shifts that are raising urgent questions for education policy and career planning in the Kingdom. According to a recent report by the New York Federal Reserve, unemployment rates among recent computer science (CS) and computer engineering graduates in the United States have surged, ranking among the highest for all majors and exposing vulnerabilities in the supposed “future-proof” tech job market (New York Fed).

Thailand’s push to make coding a passport to good jobs has shaped student choices for years. New global findings, however, suggest that the popular belief in “learn to code” securing a bright future may be shifting. A recent assessment indicates rising unemployment among new computer science and computer engineering graduates in the United States, a development that prompts reflection on education policy and career planning in Thailand.

This matters for Thai readers because the country has aggressively expanded digital literacy and coding curricula in schools and higher education. Policymakers have urged students to embrace coding as a pathway to stable wages, a view echoed by Thai parents, teachers, and students. Enrollment in university CS programs climbed, while private coding schools expanded in Bangkok and other provincial capitals. As global trends become clearer, Thailand must consider what these signals mean for its own education system and job market.

A wave of concern has swept through global education and tech circles as new research highlights an unexpected backlash against the widely promoted “learn to code” movement. Computer science, once championed as a surefire path to security and prosperity, has become a cautionary tale as recent university graduates face a sudden spike in joblessness, surpassing many of their non-technical peers and igniting deep conversations in Thailand about the future of digital education and the realities of the job market (Futurism).

A global debate is intensifying as new research shows a softer demand for entry-level tech roles. Computer science graduates, once seen as a passport to stable careers, are encountering higher unemployment than many non-technical peers. The findings prompt Thai educators and policymakers to re-evaluate digital education strategies and the actual job market, with implications for Thailand’s ambitious coding initiatives.

In Thailand, government and education authorities have pushed coding and digital literacy since 2023. Nationwide campaigns introduced coding in schools and aimed to equip students with tech skills for international competitiveness. These efforts are reinforced by teacher training programs and public-private partnerships designed to inspire young people to become creators of technology, not merely consumers. Yet global trends show that even as digital skills rise, the job market remains competitive and uneven, underscoring the need for nuanced planning in Thailand’s labor strategy.

A Microsoft executive has a clear message for Thai students and educators: learning to code remains vital as artificial intelligence changes, not replaces, human skills. Speaking on Lenny’s Podcast, the Chief Product Officer for Experiences and Devices emphasized that AI creates new opportunities for those with a strong foundation in computer science. The interview, highlighted by Business Insider on May 23, 2025, offers timely guidance for Thailand’s educators, parents, and policymakers navigating the digital future.

In a time when many question whether learning to code remains relevant amid the rise of artificial intelligence, the Chief Product Officer for Experiences and Devices at Microsoft has issued a clear message: the value of computer science education is more crucial than ever. During a recent episode of “Lenny’s Podcast,” the executive refuted the growing sentiment that “coding is dead,” insisting that AI creates new opportunities for those with a grounding in computer science, rather than negating the need for such expertise. Her comments, published by Business Insider on May 23, 2025 (businessinsider.com), provide key insights for students, parents, and education policymakers in Thailand grappling with how to prepare for the digital future.