AI Job Disruption Sparks Concerns Over Future of Coding Education
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the tech job market, with demand for software developers in the UK plunging by more than a third. New data reveals a significant decline in software engineering vacancies, prompting fresh debate over the country’s push to promote coding skills in schools and businesses.
According to job search platform Adzuna, there were 82,629 software job openings in the UK in January 2025—a sharp drop from 125,908 in January 2020. While the broader job market has recovered from the pandemic, the once-booming demand for software engineers has fallen well below pre-pandemic levels.
The decline comes as AI tools capable of automating coding tasks become more sophisticated, raising concerns that entry-level programming roles are increasingly at risk. Industry leaders have openly questioned whether traditional coding skills remain as essential as they once were. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, recently stated that AI could perform at the level of a “good mid-level engineer” and that such capabilities would be widespread by 2026. Meanwhile, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang suggested last year that coding itself may become obsolete, with AI enabling non-programmers to build software using simple commands, a practice known as “prompt engineering.”
The Changing Face of Digital Skills
The downturn in software jobs has cast doubt on the effectiveness of the UK’s push for digital education. Over the past decade, the government has invested heavily in training teachers and expanding computer science programs, with a revamped GCSE in computing and increased university admissions for computer science degrees. However, these efforts have struggled to gain traction. According to the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, 94% of girls and 79% of boys drop computing studies by age 14, raising concerns about whether the education system is keeping pace with the evolving job market.
Some experts argue that coding remains fundamental to digital careers but needs to be taught differently. Stephanie Baxter, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, emphasized that while AI may handle routine coding, human expertise is still required to interpret and refine AI-generated results. “The next generation needs to learn how to use AI tools effectively and critically,” she said, calling for a broader computing curriculum that introduces AI skills early on.
Others believe that the curriculum must shift away from purely technical coding instruction and instead emphasize problem-solving, creativity, and strategic thinking. James Neave, head of data science at Adzuna, stressed that “as AI takes over routine tasks, more abstract skills like complex problem-solving, innovation, and strategic thinking will become highly sought-after.”
A Call for Urgent Reform
With the UK government aiming to train tens of thousands of people in AI skills by the end of the decade, calls for urgent curriculum reform are growing louder. The Department for Education is currently reviewing its computing curriculum and is expected to publish its findings in the coming weeks. A government spokesperson stated that the review will ensure students are equipped with “cutting-edge” digital skills needed for the workforce of the future.
Philip Colligan, CEO of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, warned that schools must prepare young people for a world where AI is ubiquitous. “We need to act now to ensure that students are ready for the jobs of tomorrow, where AI will be an essential tool rather than a threat,” he said.
As AI continues to reshape industries, the debate over how to prepare future generations for the workforce remains unsettled. While some argue for a complete overhaul of traditional coding education, others maintain that programming will still underpin the next wave of digital careers—just in a vastly different form than before.
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