“Four years ago, students were told, ‘Study computer science — it’s a future-proof career.’ That’s no longer true,” UC Berkeley professor Hany Farid said on a recent episode of Nova’s Particles of Thought podcast. “That shift in just four years is astonishing.”
Farid cautioned against placing all the blame on artificial intelligence.
“Something deeper is happening in the industry,” he explained. “AI is part of it. There’s also a thinning of the workforce. But I think it’s a combination of many factors. Something is brewing.”
The conversation was sparked by astrophysicist and host Hakeem Oluseyi, who shared that his son — a senior majoring in computer science — is struggling to secure a job. Farid said the same trend is evident at Berkeley, despite its reputation as one of the nation’s top computer science programs.
“In the past, our students would have five internship offers by the time they graduated,” Farid noted. “They left with multiple high-paying job offers and incredible leverage. That’s not happening today. Now, students are relieved to land a single offer.”
The debate over computer science’s future is unfolding across Silicon Valley. Concerns have been heightened by the rise of “vibecoding” and AI tools capable of generating software independently. Still, OpenAI chairman Bret Taylor has argued that computer science education provides essential conceptual foundations that extend far beyond coding itself.
Farid, a leading expert on deepfake technology, said his career advice to students has also shifted.
“I used to tell people: get a broad education — study physics, language, history, philosophy — but then go very deep into one area and become an expert,” he said. “Now, I think the advice has changed. Be good at many different things, because the future is unpredictable.”
Like others in the AI field, Farid emphasized that adaptability is key.
“I don’t think AI will eliminate lawyers,” he said. “But lawyers who use AI will replace those who don’t. And that’s true for every profession.”
