#TechJobs

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.

A Google software engineer’s practical advice for students aspiring to enter the tech industry is making waves after his recent interview provided a reality check—and a roadmap—amid fierce competition for software jobs. The engineer, who secured a full-time position at Google after two successive summer internships, advocates for seizing early internship opportunities, mastering problem-solving fundamentals, and strategically positioning oneself through organized job search tactics. His insights offer much-needed clarity for Thai computer science students facing a challenging global job market reshaped by a recent wave of tech layoffs and the growing presence of artificial intelligence.

A recent story making headlines reveals the sobering fallout of artificial intelligence’s relentless advance: a seasoned software engineer, once commanding a $150,000 annual salary, found himself abruptly replaced by AI, rejected from over 800 subsequent job applications, forced to drive for DoorDash and live in a trailer just to make ends meet (yahoo.com). His words echo a growing sentiment: “AI obsolescence is coming for basically everyone in due time.”

This account is not simply a tale of individual struggle; it is the latest bellwether of a seismic shift reverberating through the global workforce. For readers in Thailand, this signals an urgent need to examine our own societal preparation for the age of AI—a transformation that extends far beyond Silicon Valley.