The computer science field, once seen as a guaranteed path to high-paying jobs, is undergoing a sharp downturn that is leaving even top graduates from elite universities struggling to find work. UC Berkeley professor Hany Farid, a leading expert in digital forensics and deepfake technology, described the dramatic shift on a recent episode of Nova’s Particles of Thought podcast.
Farid noted that only four years ago, computer science was considered “future-proof.” Graduates often secured multiple internships and had their pick of lucrative offers upon graduation. “Our students typically had five internship offers throughout their first four years of college,” Farid said. “They would graduate with exceedingly high salaries, multiple offers. They had the run of the place. That is not happening today. They’re happy to get one job offer.”
He pointed to artificial intelligence and the rise of so-called “vibecoding”—non-programmers using AI to write code—as factors that are reshaping the industry. Yet, he suggested the downturn is broader than technology alone, calling it a “confluence of many things” thinning out opportunities across the field.
This shift has led Farid to alter the advice he gives students. Previously, he encouraged them to pursue broad education while specializing deeply in one area. Now, he stresses adaptability. “I think I’m telling people to be good at a lot of different things because we don’t know what the future holds,” he said.
Farid believes AI will reward those who learn to use it effectively. “I don’t think AI is going to put lawyers out of business, but I think lawyers who use AI will put those who don’t use AI out of business,” he explained.
However, AI’s pitfalls are evident. In a case reported by Breitbart News, Morgan & Morgan attorney Rudwin Ayala cited eight non-existent, AI-generated cases in a lawsuit against Walmart. The blunder forced the firm to issue an apology, pay fees, and warn attorneys against unverified AI use.
