#FutureOfWork

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.

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.

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are putting a growing number of jobs under threat, according to a newly published analysis by Microsoft’s research division. The study, which has stirred considerable debate in the global workforce, ranks 40 professions most vulnerable to disruption by AI, along with 40 occupations that are currently considered safe from the technology’s reach. As AI-powered applications become increasingly embedded in daily work, the implications for Thailand’s white-collar and blue-collar sectors will be profound—prompting urgent discussions on how the Kingdom can best prepare for this seismic shift.

During a recent appearance at the Federal Reserve’s Capital Framework for Large Banks conference, the chief executive officer of OpenAI delivered a stark prediction: artificial intelligence (AI) will not only transform work but will completely eliminate entire job categories in the coming years. Speaking candidly before top policymakers and financial leaders in Washington, the CEO emphasized AI’s relentless advance, signaling a fundamental shift in how societies—and economies—must prepare for a labor future remade by technology (The Guardian).

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly integrates into workplaces worldwide, mental health experts and researchers are sounding the alarm on the urgent need to investigate its emotional and psychological consequences. A recent call to action published in Psychology Today argues that while the technological capabilities of AI continue to dominate headlines, its less visible impact on human well-being—particularly for those whose livelihoods are increasingly intertwined with machines—deserves immediate and thorough research (Psychology Today).

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly disrupts workplaces worldwide, a new data-driven analysis highlights which professions are most resistant to automation—a question increasingly relevant to Thai job seekers, policymakers, and educators as the digital landscape evolves. The rankings, visualized by Visual Capitalist using data from Esquimoz, underscore that jobs requiring public interaction, emotional intelligence, and hands-on technical skills remain the most protected against AI encroachment Visual Capitalist.

The significance of this ranking resonates strongly in Thailand, a country where economic modernization and workforce adaptability play a central role in national development plans such as Thailand 4.0. As industries integrate AI and automation to boost productivity, concerns have grown regarding the future viability of certain careers. The latest findings offer a reassuring message: not all jobs are equally vulnerable, and those demanding empathy, complex judgment, and direct human involvement are hardest to automate.

The University of Washington’s (UW) Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering has become a leading example of how academic institutions are radically rethinking computer science education to meet the demands of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution—an era where, some argue, “coding is dead” and the value of conventional programming is being transformed by generative AI technologies like ChatGPT. This evolution not only reshapes the way students are taught but also raises urgent questions for Thai educators, institutions, and policymakers about how to prepare local graduates for a rapidly changing job market increasingly shaped by automation and intelligent systems.

Claims that artificial intelligence (AI) could soon replace computer scientists are deeply misguided, according to the latest research published in The Conversation. As anxieties rise about the role of AI in the future of work, particularly in technical professions, this new analysis by a leading academic in the field emphasizes that computer science expertise will remain indispensable for years to come (The Conversation).

The recent surge of generative AI technologies, such as language models and coding assistants, has sparked widespread speculation – including among prominent economists and secondary school advisors – that computer science degrees may be rendered obsolete. These narratives have gained so much traction that some Thai students are reportedly being discouraged from pursuing computer science or software engineering, with fears that AI will make these careers redundant.

A new article published in Psychology Today, titled “Why Systematic Thinking Creates Minds That Mirror Algorithms,” has sparked concern among educators and parents worldwide by suggesting that modern educational methods may be inadvertently stifling creative thinking in students. The research-backed piece points to the risks of prioritizing systematic, algorithm-like problem-solving approaches—a hallmark of many school curricula today—at the expense of nurturing originality and divergent thinking, skills crucial for thriving in a rapidly changing global economy.

Universities worldwide are rapidly reimagining computer science education as generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as ChatGPT reshape what future graduates need to know and how they will work. This transformation, driven by rapid advances in AI capable of writing code and performing mid-level software engineering tasks, has ignited a debate among educators about what the foundations of computer science should be in an era where machines can increasingly automate what students traditionally learn (nytimes.com).

A leading Xbox executive has sparked debate in the workforce and technology sectors after advocating for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help laid-off workers manage the emotional and practical challenges of job loss. The executive, speaking candidly about the realities of layoffs in a post on social media, suggested that large language model AI platforms—including ChatGPT and Copilot—can play an integral role in reducing the emotional and cognitive load faced by those navigating unemployment (The Verge).

A recent incident at a prominent American university has reignited global debate over the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. On March 25, students enrolled in an undergraduate computer science course were informed that “clear evidence of AI usage” had been detected in one-third of submissions for a major problem set. The announcement, made via the course’s online platform, presented students with a stark ultimatum: admit to using AI within 10 days and accept a significant grade penalty, or risk more severe disciplinary measures, including referral to the university’s Executive Committee (ExComm) for academic misconduct (Yale Daily News).

As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT shake up global academia, leading computer science faculties—including those at top international institutions—are urgently reassessing what it means to educate the next generation of tech talent. The shift, driven by the rapid rise of generative AI tools that can write code and answer questions with humanlike fluency, is sparking debate across universities in Thailand and worldwide about what computer science students truly need to learn to thrive in the AI era (New York Times).

As generative artificial intelligence (A.I.) rapidly transforms industries worldwide, universities are racing to adapt their computer science curricula to prepare students for a future where A.I., not humans, increasingly writes code and solves complex technical problems. The leading edge of this shift is highlighted in recent research and reporting from one of the United States’ top institutions, where computer science departments are re-evaluating not just what to teach, but how to equip students with the skills most relevant to the A.I. era (The New York Times).

Universities across the globe must redefine their purpose to prioritize lifelong learning in an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), according to the president of Northeastern University, who warns that higher education risks becoming obsolete if it fails to adapt. Speaking during a keynote address at the event “Engineering the Future with Artificial Intelligence,” held at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, the Northeastern University president emphasized the urgent need for higher education to extend its focus beyond young students, highlighting the transformative impact of AI on both learning and society.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking the foundations of Wall Street, with leading experts predicting sweeping job losses across the sector. Recent reports suggest that AI could eliminate entire teams, particularly those filled with junior bankers, analysts, and sales staff, while fundamentally transforming the roles that remain (MarketWatch, eWeek, Fortune, CNBC). As the financial industry accelerates its adoption of AI-driven tools, workers and institutions in Thailand and around the world are facing a moment of reckoning: adapt to the AI revolution or risk being left behind.

Anthropic, a leading artificial intelligence research company, has released new insights from Project Vend, a groundbreaking experiment asking a simple but profound question: can an AI model like Claude Sonnet 3.7 run a small retail shop—successfully, profitably, and autonomously? The answers, it turns out, are both promising and sobering, offering a glimpse into the complex, sometimes strange future awaiting economies worldwide, including Thailand, as artificial intelligence assumes increasingly active roles in daily enterprise (Anthropic Research).

Artificial intelligence is driving a dramatic transformation in higher education, pushing universities worldwide to shift beyond their traditional focus on young students and research to embrace lifelong learning for all. The latest research and expert commentary, highlighted by a keynote address from the president of Northeastern University, underscores a global pivot—one that is increasingly relevant for Thailand’s rapidly evolving educational landscape (Northeastern University; Forward Pathway). Amid the rise of generative AI and large language models such as ChatGPT, higher education institutions face mounting pressure to adapt, or risk obsolescence.

Microsoft is intensifying its internal push for artificial intelligence adoption, informing staff that “using AI is no longer optional,” according to a recent internal memo obtained by Business Insider. In a move that underscores the software giant’s commitment to embedding AI into daily workflows, managers have been instructed to evaluate employees partly on their use of AI tools such as GitHub Copilot. The company is also considering making this a formal metric in performance reviews for the upcoming fiscal year, signaling a radical shift in workplace expectations within the tech industry and repercussions for global work culture—including in Thailand’s rapidly digitising tech and knowledge sectors.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is upending traditional career pathways for computer science graduates, with many recent degree holders finding themselves left out of a job market they were once promised would be future-proof. Data from major tech hubs and expert analysis indicate that AI’s swift adoption — especially in coding and routine white-collar roles — is fundamentally transforming the opportunities for new entrants in the technology sector, leading to historic increases in unemployment among educated youth. For Thai students and families investing heavily in STEM education, these developments offer both caution and critical lessons for adapting to the future of work.

Employers around the world—and increasingly in Thailand—are finding themselves overwhelmed by a tidal wave of job applications, many crafted not by diligent candidates but by artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The rise of generative AI, like ChatGPT, is making it easier than ever for jobseekers to flood recruiters with impressive-looking, keyword-optimised résumés, catapulting both job seekers and employers into an “AI arms race” that is transforming the hiring landscape.

In the space of just 12 hours, a relatively routine remote tech job advertised on LinkedIn in the United States received over 400 applications; in 24 hours, that number grew to 600. By the time the posting was removed a few days later, 1,200 résumés had landed in the recruiter’s inbox. More than three months later, the HR consultant was still sorting through the glut nytimes.com. This surge in applications isn’t unique to America: With LinkedIn reporting a 45% increase in application submissions over the past year, totalling an astonishing 11,000 job applications per minute, the trend is going global and is rapidly affecting Thai enterprises as well.

In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and algorithm-driven decision-making, new research is calling for a renewed embrace of what it means to “think like a human.” According to ideas introduced in a recent Psychology Today article by a business professor and leadership expert, the mantra “matter over mind”—highlighting the critical role of our bodies, environment, and actions in cognition—should become central for individuals and workplaces striving to stay relevant and resilient in the digital age (Psychology Today).