#Highereducation

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.

A new wave of research from the United States signals a pivotal shift in the job market once deemed a guaranteed path to prosperity: a computer science degree may no longer be the universal ticket it once was. After years of rapid growth, US university enrollments in computer science have slowed dramatically. For Thai students and families weighing higher education choices, the developing story offers timely lessons on employability and long-term resilience.

A growing wave of international students aims to study in the United States are cleaning up their social media presence. Fears of stricter online scrutiny under intensified US visa policies are driving self-censorship from Africa to the Caribbean, highlighting concerns about privacy and free expression in an era of digital surveillance.

For many in Thailand and around the world, an American degree signals access to premier education, career opportunities, and broader social mobility. In 2023, thousands of Thai students pursued US study programs, reflecting strong international interest. Data from leading educational agencies indicates that Thai applicants now feel heightened pressure to curate online personas long before any campus interview. The latest cohort faces uncertainty not only about admissions but also about Facebook posts, tweets, or memes from years past.

A growing wave of international students vying to study in the United States are sanitizing their social media presence, fearing stricter scrutiny under freshly intensified US visa vetting policies. The phenomenon, increasingly visible among young people from Africa to the Caribbean, exposes not only new anxieties about digital footprints but also broader concerns about free expression and privacy in the age of algorithmic surveillance.

For many around the world, an American degree represents access to coveted educational, professional, and economic opportunities. In 2024, nearly 20,000 Nigerian students headed to US colleges, more than any other African nation, while the US consistently receives tens of thousands from China and India annually (scroll.in). But for the latest cohort, aspiring scholars like the Nigerian student identified as “Owolabi” are racked with uncertainty, not just about university offers, but about old Facebook posts, Twitter jokes, or even the memes they once shared.

The latest global rankings of the most educated countries, released by CBRE Research and widely reported in international media, have produced some unexpected results: the United States, long perceived as a leader, is now surpassed by several other nations, while Ireland emerges as the world’s top country for higher education attainment. Meanwhile, Thailand, although making strides in education, remains outside the top cohort, fueling discussions on the nation’s future competitiveness in an increasingly knowledge-driven world [thinkstewartville.com][Visual Capitalist].

A rapidly escalating wave of academic dishonesty has gripped universities worldwide, with a recent UK study exposing a dramatic rise in students caught cheating with artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT. The findings, which reveal nearly 7,000 proven cases of AI-facilitated cheating between 2023 and 2024, spotlight an urgent challenge for educators not just in the UK but across the globe, including Thailand. Experts warn these figures are likely just the “tip of the iceberg,” suggesting that the true scope of technology-driven misconduct is far greater and largely undetected—potentially transforming how societies view and manage academic integrity (The Guardian).

A surge in AI-assisted cheating is rattling universities worldwide, with a UK study showing a sharp rise in cases involving tools like ChatGPT. The research reports nearly 7,000 proven instances of AI-facilitated cheating in 2023–2024, signaling a widening challenge for educators beyond the UK and into Thailand. Experts warn the figures may only scratch the surface, as advanced AI capabilities outpace detection methods.

The trend marks a shift from traditional cheating to high-tech shortcuts that deliver rapid and sophisticated results. The latest findings indicate an average of 5.1 students per 1,000 engaged in AI-enabled cheating in 2023–24, up 219 percent from the previous year. Projections suggest this rate could rise further, underscoring the expanding scale of the problem.

Thailand faces a challenging path to higher education attainment as global rankings spotlight rising international competition. New research from CBRE Group shows Ireland at the top for tertiary attainment, with more than half of adults aged 25-64 holding at least a bachelor’s degree. Switzerland and Singapore follow, while the United States remains above 40 percent, underscoring a persistent strength in universities and research ecosystems worldwide. For Thai readers, these findings spark questions about how Thailand can strengthen its own higher education system to support innovation and inclusive growth. Data and analysis from major think tanks and research outlets highlight these trends and their implications for policy and practice, including in Thailand’s neighbor and economic partner region.

Recent graduates in computer science—long regarded as having the most assured path to professional success—are confronting an unexpected reality: unemployment rates within their ranks are now among the highest for any undergraduate major, prompting a critical reevaluation of the “learn to code” mantra that has shaped global education policy and vocational planning over the past decade. According to a recent analysis based on the latest labor market report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the unemployment rate for new computer science (CS) graduates in the United States has ballooned to 6.1%, while those holding degrees in computer engineering fare even worse at 7.5% (Newsweek). This stands in stark contrast to the overall recent graduate unemployment rate of 5.8%, challenging assumptions not only in Western economies but also in rapidly digitizing societies such as Thailand.

A fresh wave of unemployment among new computer science graduates is prompting Thai educators and policymakers to rethink the country’s digital-skills strategy. In the United States, recent analysis based on the latest labor market data shows unemployment for new CS graduates around 6.1%, with computer engineering graduates at about 7.5%. While these figures come from abroad, they spark questions about whether Thailand’s own coding boom is sustainable as automation and AI reshape entry-level roles.

A global shift is reshaping perceptions of higher education as young people question the value of a college degree. In the United States, a growing portion of Gen Z says college may not be worth the cost, a revelation that could influence education and employment trends in Thailand as well.

Rising tuition, heavy student debt, and doubts about the wage premium are central to this debate. Data from research conducted by Indeed Hiring Lab and Harris Poll in March 2025 shows that 51% of Gen Z respondents with an associate degree or higher consider their degree a waste of money. This view contrasts sharply with older generations and reflects a broader concern about return on investment. Reports across American media highlight a national mood of skepticism, while parallel polls from other outlets confirm a similar pattern.

A wave of skepticism is sweeping across the United States as a new generation of young adults—especially those from Generation Z—are increasingly questioning the value of a college degree. Recent research reveals that more than half of young Americans now view their college education as a waste of money, a significant shift with profound implications for individuals, educational institutions, and global workforce dynamics.

This generational disillusionment comes at a time when tuition costs have soared, student debt continues to climb, and the traditional advantages of holding a degree are increasingly in doubt. For Thai readers, these trends bear close watching, as they reflect global currents in higher education and could foreshadow developments in Thailand’s own educational landscape.

As the United States grapples with shifting immigration policies and intensifying global competition, the future of its 1.1 million international students—and the vast contributions they make—hangs in the balance. Latest developments, including a temporary suspension of new student visa appointments and heightened social media vetting, have left international students anxious and universities concerned about the long-term impact on the nation’s educational standing and economic strength (Al Jazeera).

Recent moves by the US government, particularly the State Department’s decision on May 27th to pause scheduling new student visa appointments, have intensified an atmosphere of apprehension among current and prospective international students. The policy comes in the wake of several other restrictions, notably expanded social media screenings. For international students—such as a junior at Georgetown University recently interviewed—these changes have fueled anxieties about deportation or sudden policy shifts that could jeopardize their studies and futures.

The United States is tightening immigration rules and facing intensified global competition, casting uncertainty over 1.1 million international students and the broad economic and academic contributions they support. New measures, including a temporary pause on scheduling certain student visa appointments and expanded social media screening, have heightened anxiety among prospective students and concern among universities about long-term effects on the U.S. education landscape.

Policy shifts are already changing the outlook for international students. The State Department paused new student visa appointments in late May, adding to a climate of precaution. Observers note that these changes, paired with stricter scrutiny of applicants, could disrupt study plans and threaten ongoing enrollment. Data from research by leading education organizations shows the potential ripple effects across campuses nationwide.

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.

China paused several AI chatbot services during the gaokao, the country’s high-stakes college entrance exam, to safeguard exam integrity. Leading AI firms publicly disabled image-recognition and question-answering features during exam hours, with messages citing a commitment to fairness. The move was echoed by multiple platforms, and a viral AI service also restricted access in line with exam protection efforts. Authorities already ban phones and laptops in exam halls, but concerns about covert AI assistance before and during tests have grown among students, parents, and educators. Social media chatter on Weibo reflected broad anxiety about fairness in a tech-driven academic era.

A sharp drop in IDP Education’s shares signals a broader shift in global student mobility. The Australian-headquartered education services giant warned it could see a steep decline in placement volumes as governments tighten visa rules. The market reacted quickly, with shares tumbling by almost half at one point. The ahead-of-year outlook also anticipates a drop in IELTS testing volumes, a key step for visa and admissions processes. For Thai students and families, the news adds fresh uncertainty as outbound study plans rely on stable cross-border pathways.

Shares of IDP Education, the Australian-headquartered international student placement giant, plummeted as much as 48 percent after the company announced it was bracing for a steep decline in student placement volumes, warning investors that tightening government visa rules are upending the market for cross-border education Reuters, Investing.com. The warning, issued on June 3, reverberated not just through financial markets but across the global higher education sector—including Thailand, a country with a fast-growing cohort of outbound students and deepening ties to international universities.

Recent findings have upended long-held assumptions about the safest bets for employability among new graduates. According to a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, college students majoring in nutrition sciences, construction services, and animal/plant sciences are enjoying the lowest unemployment rates in the nation—outperforming even the much-heralded STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields. This data, tracking U.S. graduates aged 22 to 27, reveals how shifting workforce needs are redrawing the map for university-bound students in 2025 (Entrepreneur).

A recent Federal Reserve study in New York upends the idea that STEM fields are the safest path for job security. The report tracks U.S. graduates aged 22 to 27 and finds that majors such as nutrition sciences, construction services, and animal/plant sciences enjoy unemployment rates of 1% or less, outperforming many tech-focused disciplines. For Thai readers, the message is clear: diverse skills and practical knowledge can yield strong early career outcomes in a shifting market.

As technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, the pursuit of a master’s degree in computer science is proving to be more than just an academic accomplishment—it’s becoming a strategic step for those seeking to thrive in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Recent analysis from US News underscores how advanced graduate credentials can significantly boost job prospects, especially as the global demand for specialized tech skills intensifies (US News).

For Thai readers, this topic holds particular resonance given the rapid digital transformation underway in the Kingdom’s economy, infrastructure, and educational systems. The evolving role of advanced tech degrees not only responds to global job market trends but also aligns with Thailand’s push toward an innovation-driven economy under national development initiatives such as Thailand 4.0. With the information technology sector becoming a pillar of both job creation and GDP growth, understanding the impact of a master’s in computer science is vital for students, professionals, educators, and policymakers alike (World Bank).

As technology evolves rapidly, a master’s degree in computer science is no mere credential—it’s a strategic move in a competitive digital economy. Research from leading career outlets shows that advanced graduate credentials can markedly boost job prospects in a growing field that craves specialized skills.

For Thai audiences, the topic resonates with Thailand’s swift digital transformation across industry and education. The nation’s push toward an innovation-driven economy under initiatives like Thailand 4.0 makes advanced tech education especially relevant. With IT becoming a driver of job creation and GDP, understanding the impact of a master’s in computer science matters for students, professionals, educators, and policymakers. Data from Thailand’s development frameworks indicates a direct link between graduate-level tech skills and local growth.

A major shake-up in the global research community follows MIT’s formal withdrawal of support for a widely circulated AI study. The paper, titled Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Discovery, and Product Innovation, was posted on arXiv in November 2024 and drew attention for claims that AI could dramatically accelerate scientific progress and product development. After a confidential internal review, MIT stated it has no confidence in the data, provenance, or validity of the research, marking a rare public reversal from a leading research university.