The Vanishing Junior Engineer: A Crisis in Computer Science Education?

The rise of AI coding assistants is causing a decline in junior engineering roles. This isn't a temporary blip, argues the author, but a fundamental challenge to computer science education. Traditionally, junior engineers handled coding, while seniors focused on problem decomposition and architecture. Now, AI can do much of the coding, diminishing the junior role's value. The author proposes a return to the mathematical roots of computer science, emphasizing abstract problem-solving skills. Rigorous, in-person exams are suggested as a way to test these crucial skills, rather than just coding proficiency, preparing students for success in the age of AI.