The outlook for programmers (as of

First of all, I know that the title in the above image is not correct, but that is the level of the AI right now :) … nice with occasional errors.

Cutting to the chase, I recently read a nice article from the latest issue (05/2025) Communications of the ACM publication, named “The outlook of programmers”. I thought, oh boy … lets see a more structured opinion for a change. So, the job market for programmers is experiencing a significant shift, characterized by a cooling trend and increased competition, particularly for entry-level positions. This change is attributed to several key factors:

Post-Pandemic Correction: Many tech companies over-hired during the COVID-19 pandemic. As economic conditions shifted and pandemic-era capital spending decreased, these companies are now “right-sizing,” leading to layoffs and reduced hiring, especially at large tech firms (like Meta, Google, Amazon)

Impact of Generative AI (GenAI): There’s intense interest in deploying AI to automate processes. GenAI tools are increasingly capable of handling tasks traditionally performed by programmers, from coding to more complex functions. Studies (like Indeed’s AI at Work Report) indicate that software development roles have very high exposure to potential GenAI-driven changes (around 95.6%). While some layoffs are explicitly attributed to AI, others are framed as “technological updates.”

Economic Factors: Broader economic conditions, including rising interest rates and shifts in consumer spending, also influence hiring trends and employee mobility.

Increased Competition: The competition for programming jobs, especially entry-level ones, is fierce. Computer science graduates face competition not only from peers but also from those who minored in the discipline. One example cited a program with 200 spots receiving 43,000 applications.

Job Landscape: While landing jobs at “marquee” tech companies has become tougher, the demand for computer science and tech graduates remains strong in other sectors, such as finance (banks) and industries undergoing digitization. The fundamental need for technology across businesses persists, ensuring continued demand for tech skills, albeit potentially outside the traditional tech giants. Some argue AI is also creating new specialized roles (like machine learning engineers and data scientists) and allowing IT professionals to focus on more strategic initiatives by automating repetitive tasks.

Geographic Trends: The cooling trend is particularly noticeable in the U.S., where AI adoption is high. Similar slowdowns in tech job postings compared to pre-pandemic levels are seen in Canada and parts of Europe, like the U.K.

Epilogue

Despite the challenges, the long-term outlook for those with computer science skills is still considered relatively robust. However, the job market is different from the pre-pandemic era. Graduates need to be adaptable, potentially looking beyond the major tech companies to find opportunities in diverse industries that increasingly rely on technology. The role and impact of AI remain a central, evolving factor in this landscape.

Note: please found the original article which is briefly summarized and commented in this article in … https://cacm.acm.org/news/the-outlook-for-programmers/