u/tskriz

Most of you have these concerns: CS degree relevant now? Software jobs relevant now? and many similar ones.

As you know, many companies are experimenting or ramping up AI agents that automate processes. And they are realizing something more fundamental.

Good AI agents need "good computers".

AI agents that automate code need safe, isolated spaces to do tasks such as: write code, iterate, search internet, verify code outputs and so on.

In the tech world, the demand of "good computers" are going up.

By good computers, I mean something like a sandbox or a safe workspace for AI agents.

Folks who know how to set up, operate and maintain these workspaces are also in demand. Doing this requires good knowledge of computer science, networking.

These new job roles come with various titles: solution architect, specialist solution architect, AI architect, AI agent workspace admin, product manager of AI sandboxes, and so on.

(I was recently interviewed for Product Manager - AI sandbox)

These job roles did not exist before AI became mainstream.

Jobs will evolve. New roles and titles will appear. Some old roles may disappear.

P.S. Did you find this useful? Do you want know about such emerging new job roles?

What would actually happen when degrees and colleges die?

1. No students go to college for degree.

So what would students do after school? Go straight to job or start business or do nothing?

If they were to go straight to job, what kind of companies would hire? These companies would need to train them to do the job? Who will train them? Training for both job skills and personal development.

If they were to start a business after school, would they do that independently by trail and error or get trained from a practitioner (not professor)?

2. All college professors get fired.

What would college professors do?

If there are no students, colleges can't pay salary to professors. All professors would be fired. Layoffs.

Some professors may acquire a role in companies that train students for jobs.

Some professors may team up with practitioners and jointly offer hands-on programs that teach how to set up and run a business.

Because these professors have perfected the "art" of imparting knowledge. They will find another stage for their performance. Practitioners team up with professors who know how to teach well and who can connect with students well (empathy).

Practitioners can actually do things... students can also learn from them by being an apprentice or intern.

Method of teaching and learning evolves.

Some professors who are not curious and not passionate about their craft will complain and throw tantrums. They will claim why college education is still needed, why degrees are still needed... try to persuade students to join college.

3. Are you able to see where all this is leading to?

It is easy to get lost in the podcast headlines and predictions from famous personalities. Sometimes they would have said this in the context of that conversation for a specific case. But circulated in the media in a big way.

Anyway, we need to think harder... and deeper.

If such a thing happens, look at how things can evolve.

Teaching, companies, jobs, business, learning... look at how all of these can evolve. People who evolve can ride along the tide.

There can be many other possibilities too. This post is one such small possibility.

P.S. Inspired from a looong conversation with a Redditor in this sub.