Software engineering was once a golden ticket. In 2022, it ranked among the best-paying jobs in the US. But today, the landscape is shifting fast, and AI is rewriting the rules.
AI Takes Over Coding
Imagine this: 75% of Google’s code is now written by AI. That’s not a future scenario — that’s right now. Since OpenAI’s ChatGPT launched in 2022, more than 600,000 tech workers in the US have lost their jobs. The tech job market is shrinking fast.
Job postings for tech roles on Indeed plummeted 36% between 2020 and 2025. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for recent computer science grads climbed to 7% in 2024, up from 6.1% the year before. Underemployment is even worse — more than 19% of graduates can’t find roles matching their skills.
Despite this, nearly 50 million people worldwide worked as developers just last year. The demand hasn’t disappeared — it’s just changing shape. AI is not only writing code but also reshaping how engineers spend their days.
From Coding to Code Reviewing
Take Matt, a software engineer who’s watched his role transform. Over the last six months, Matt’s job shifted away from writing code. Now, he spends most of his time reviewing AI-generated code instead of creating it himself.
He says, “I am actively trying to keep my axe sharp.” But Matt also admits, “I am trying not to leverage AI where I can.” The tension is real. He feels the pressure as AI changes everything. “My future feels dark,” he adds.
Shifting Gears: A Move to Blue-Collar Work
Not everyone stays in tech. Gordon is a former frontend developer who lost his job in March 2026 when his company shut down. The industry changes forced him to rethink his future. He explored blue-collar jobs like electrician, plumber, HVAC technician, CNC machinist, and land surveyor.
Gordon found land surveying especially appealing. The field has many older workers retiring and fewer young people to fill the gap. He landed a new role as a civil site designer, working on projects like parking lots and drive-thrus for a fast food company.
His salary took a 30% hit, and the job requires five days a week in the office, unlike his previous remote work. Gordon’s wife, Andrea, works a hybrid job, and their son goes to daycare three days a week. After two months between jobs, Gordon started his new career and says he’s “relieved.”
He sums it up bluntly: “You’re not losing your job to AI, you’re losing your job to someone who uses AI.” Gordon does not plan to return to tech.
What’s Next for Software Engineers?
The AI wave is reshaping software engineering in real time. The rise of AI code generation changes daily tasks and career prospects. Some engineers adapt by mastering new skills or focusing on AI code review. Others leave tech for hands-on trades.
The future demands flexibility and collective action. As AI tools grow smarter, engineers will need to find new ways to add value. That could mean learning blue-collar skills or developing expertise in AI-human collaboration.
One thing is clear: the tech world won’t look the same. But with change comes opportunity. The next chapter for software engineers is about reinventing roles and embracing new paths forward.
Based on
- Chasing new skills, going back to basics and pushing for collective action: how software engineers are adapting to AI — theguardian.com
- Cz9nw4z5g9qo — bbc.com
- BBC Learning English – English at Work / Reality bites — bbc.com
- Inside one coder’s journey to leave tech and land a ‘baby blue-collar’ job | Business Insider Africa — africa.businessinsider.com
- How the federal government’s proposed digital regulator would work — ctvnews.ca
