#STEM

A recent interview with a Google software engineer offers timely and practical advice for computer science students in Thailand and across the globe, emphasizing that securing an internship—even in a student’s first or second year—can be a crucial gateway to landing a future position at a top international tech firm. The engineer, who earned a full-time offer after interning with Google for two summers, reveals that the threshold for getting accepted into early-stage programs is considerably lower, providing an accessible pathway for aspiring students facing today’s competitive technology job market (Business Insider).

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 groundbreaking study has found that applying mild electrical currents to the human brain—using a non-invasive method called transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS)—can significantly improve mathematics learning in university students. The research, conducted by a team at the University of Oxford and reported by Live Science, hints at the potential of this technique for at-home use in the future, though experts caution that more evidence is needed before such tools become widespread or mainstream (Live Science).

A seismic shift is reverberating through the global scientific community as China firmly overtakes the United States to become the world’s leading science nation, marking a pivotal moment with profound ramifications for research, innovation, and international collaboration. This trend, explored in a recent commentary and substantiated by the latest data from the prestigious Nature Index, signals not just a changing of the guard but an acceleration of the gap in scientific output and influence between the two global superpowers.

A remarkable coalition of over 250 CEOs—including leaders from Microsoft, Airbnb, and Uber—has issued a joint call urging policymakers to make computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education a mandatory part of school curricula in the United States. Their concerns arise as China directs children as young as six to attend formal AI classes, fueling fears that nations lacking such initiatives may fall dangerously behind in global technological competitiveness (Fortune).

A surge in innovative educator-driven strategies is reshaping how computer science is taught in schools, as new research and classroom experiences reveal fresh methods to engage young learners and equip them for a digital future. A recent story from EdSurge highlights how a blend of professional learning and grassroots creativity is making computer science “click” not only for students, but for teachers with little or no prior technical background (EdSurge).

A new era of digital inequality is emerging worldwide, as recent research reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) computing power is rapidly becoming concentrated in just a handful of countries and companies. This growing divide between AI “haves” and “have-nots” is set to disrupt economies, fuel geopolitical rivalries, and shape the scientific and social futures of entire nations, according to a major new investigation by Oxford University researchers and reporting by The New York Times (nytimes.com).

As the tech world races forward with rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, a new debate is surfacing across universities and boardrooms alike: Is a traditional computer science degree still the golden ticket to a successful technology career? Provocative arguments, such as those laid out in the article “12 reasons to ignore computer science degrees” from CIO (cio.com), are capturing global attention—echoing anxieties and optimism found throughout today’s technology sector.

Recent research has upended long-standing assumptions about the career prospects of different university majors in the United States: recent statistics show that computer engineering graduates now face an unemployment rate of 7.5%, more than double the 3% rate reported among art history majors. This surprising trend, which challenges conventional wisdom that STEM fields offer greater job security, emerged from data cited in several news reports published in May and June 2025, including those by the Times of India, VN Express, and technically-oriented education outlets (The College Fix; Times of India; VN Express).

A new study from the University of Maryland has revealed a compelling link between high school computer science education and future salary prospects, showing that just one computer science class can raise Gen Z graduates’ starting salaries by an average of 8%, regardless of which career path they choose (Fortune). The research delivers a wake-up call to educators, employers, and policymakers around the world—including in Thailand—about the growing importance of digital literacy as a foundational skill in today’s economy.

With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies capable of generating computer code from simple prompts, a pressing question has emerged: Will computer science as a discipline—and the jobs of programmers—soon become obsolete? The answer, according to recent in-depth analysis and expert commentary, is a resounding no. As AI becomes an increasingly common fixture in the world of software development, it is reshaping but not replacing traditional computer science roles, opening new opportunities for innovation—and requiring a new set of skills from practitioners and students alike (Herzing University).

China’s bold experiment in introducing artificial intelligence (AI) education to primary schoolers is sending shockwaves through classrooms—and corporate boardrooms—around the world. As six-year-olds in Beijing begin learning about the building blocks of AI, over 250 chief executives from top global companies, including Microsoft, Airbnb, and Uber, are demanding similar lessons for American students in the hopes of unlocking economic and social benefits on a global scale (Fortune, MSN). The move marks a pivotal moment not just for the United States, which is now scrambling to keep pace, but for Thailand and the wider world, where the question is no longer whether AI belongs in childhood education—but when and how.

Purple blooms in Thailand’s parks and markets—from the delicate dok bua (lotus flowers) that decorate temple altars to vibrant mangosteens stacked in fruit stalls. Yet behind its abundant physical presence, cutting-edge neuroscience research is challenging what we think we know about purple itself. Is it possible that the color so cherished in art, fashion, and Buddhist symbolism is really an invention of the human brain? Recent findings, highlighted by neuroscientists and art historians, reveal that purple may be less concrete in nature than it appears, calling into question not only the color’s existence, but the very essence of how Thai people (and all humans) experience the world of color.

The Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando this year spotlighted one of the most pressing challenges in global education: making computer science accessible for every student and teacher. With more than 9,000 participants from around the world, experts at the event—including the director of computer science education for an international robotics firm—discussed how tools like block-based programming are leveling the playing field for young learners and non-expert educators alike. For Thailand, where the push for digital transformation is accelerating, these developments resonate strongly with efforts to bridge digital divides across urban and rural classrooms.

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.

As the digital revolution accelerates across industries, a new cohort of career-changers and non-traditional computer science students is finding its way into graduate-level tech education—even without a CS degree. Recent developments in higher education now offer aspiring Thai and international students alternative routes into a Master’s in Computer Science (CS), opening doors to high-demand tech careers for those from diverse academic backgrounds. This shift marks a significant step toward inclusivity in technology and is already changing the landscape for both working professionals and students considering a future in IT.

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).

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has swept across global education systems, igniting debates over whether the rise of tools like ChatGPT and code-generating software could render traditional computer science studies obsolete. However, the latest research and expert commentaries decisively counter this narrative, arguing that AI is not killing computer science but is instead making its mastery more essential than ever before for Thai students and educators navigating an evolving digital landscape.

A wave of advocacy is sweeping across the education landscape as more than 250 top corporate leaders, together with Code.org—one of the world’s most influential computer science non-profits—have urged policymakers to make artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science classes a standard requirement in high schools. Their call, encapsulated in an open letter published earlier this month, highlights mounting pressure on the US and global education systems to ensure that today’s students are equipped for an era dominated by AI-powered technologies. This ambitious push, already supported by research and global industry trends, holds important lessons and opportunities for Thailand as it grapples with its own transformation in education and workforce preparation.

As artificial intelligence continues to surge through everyday life and work, the question of student readiness for a tech-driven future is sparking urgent debate among educators, policymakers, and families alike. New research and policy discussions highlight how building robust computer science (CS) education is now not only desirable, but essential, for preparing Thai students to thrive in the age of AI and stay competitive on the global stage.

The explosion of artificial intelligence applications—from AI-powered language tools and automated learning systems to intelligent robotics and data-driven decision-making—brings profound implications for education. According to the latest commentary published in The Desert Sun (desertsun.com), computer science is foundational for understanding and navigating these changes. Advocates argue that just as learning to drive requires knowing what’s “under the hood,” the arrival of AI technology means every student needs to understand the mechanisms behind these systems—algorithms, data processing, and ethical dimensions included.

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).

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.

As demand surges for digital expertise worldwide, many Thai students and families are asking: “How rewarding is a degree in computer science?” New research and analysis underscore that while computer science may be among the toughest academic disciplines, it also offers among the broadest and most lucrative career opportunities, provided students are prepared for the mathematical rigor, problem-solving challenges, and constantly changing technological landscape. These insights emerge from a recent in-depth report by The Irish Times, with perspectives that resonate strongly for Thailand’s own education sector as computer science courses and digital careers are increasingly prioritised by policymakers (irishtimes.com).

A new report has turned expectations about employability on their head, showing that graduates of nutrition, construction services, and animal/plant sciences have the lowest unemployment rates among recent U.S. college graduates—beating even traditional STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields such as chemistry and physics. The findings, released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and published in Entrepreneur on May 16, highlight changing dynamics in the labor market and have important implications for Thai students considering their future studies.