A viral social media post predicting the end of software engineering as a career has triggered intense debate online, amid growing anxiety over artificial intelligence automating routine coding work.
The post, shared on X (formerly Twitter), claimed that software engineers could soon be “jobless”, suggesting the profession may disappear within five to ten years as AI tools become more capable. The post has garnered over 1.6 million views, drawing sharp and often contradictory reactions.
‘Evolving, not dying’: Social media reacts
While some users echoed the pessimism, many pushed back against the idea that software engineering is nearing extinction. Several argued that the field is evolving rather than collapsing, comparing AI’s impact to earlier technological shifts such as mechanisation in agriculture or automation in manufacturing.
Others noted that automation tends to eliminate low-leverage, repetitive tasks rather than entire professions. “What’s ending is the illusion of infinite demand for average skills,” one user wrote, adding that engineers who can design systems, reason deeply and own outcomes will remain valuable.
What the data says about AI and jobs
Recent studies suggest that the disruption is real but uneven. A Stanford University study found that workers aged 22 to 25 are facing the strongest impact, with entry-level jobs in software development and customer service declining by around 13%. Early-career hiring in software engineering has reportedly fallen nearly 20% since 2022.
Research cited by the San Francisco Standard also indicates that new-graduate recruitment at major tech firms has dropped sharply since 2019, as companies increasingly favour experienced professionals and AI-assisted workflows.
At the same time, a World Economic Forum report estimates that while 40% of employers expect to reduce roles that can be automated, around 78 million new jobs could be created globally by 2030 due to technological change.
How engineers can stay relevant
Experts stress that survival in the AI era depends on adaptation. Leaders in the field argue that learning AI goes beyond writing prompts. According to Victor Chang, CEO of AnChain.AI, professionals must understand how AI systems make decisions, enforce rules and interact with real-world processes.
Human skills such as judgement, ethics, communication and strategic thinking are also seen as critical advantages that machines struggle to replicate. Many experts recommend treating AI as a “force multiplier” — a tool that enhances productivity rather than replaces human capability.
As the debate continues, one message stands out: software engineering may be changing rapidly, but for those willing to continuously reinvent themselves, the career is far from over.