Carnegie Mellon University, one of the leading computer science schools in the US, is preparing to conduct a comprehensive curriculum review this summer due to rapid developments in artificial intelligence technologies.
The world’s best universities are rewriting the curriculum
The university’s faculty members state that this transformation could shake not only educational methods but also the foundations of computer science. The institution’s vice dean for undergraduate programs, Prof. Thomas Cortina, says that new generation artificial intelligence tools are fundamentally affecting computer science education.
The ability of generative artificial intelligence systems to write human-like texts and answer complex questions has had a widespread impact in the academic world. However, this transformation is felt much faster and more deeply in computer science, where coding is at the center.
Major technology companies and startups are launching artificial intelligence assistants that help software developers. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement earlier this year that artificial intelligence could soon reach the level of a mid-level software developer.
Universities across the US are trying to reshape their curricula in the face of this rapid technological evolution. Some academics believe that mastery of certain programming languages is no longer as important as it used to be.
Instead, an approach is being focused on where hybrid courses that integrate computer science into different disciplines can be more prominent. According to this view, computer science can also become a form of social science that emphasizes more critical thinking and communication skills.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding a new project called “Level Up AI” to guide the transformation process in this field. This 18-month initiative, led by New Mexico State University and the Computing Research Association, aims to bring together researchers and faculty members from different universities and create a common vision for the basic components of artificial intelligence education. The project includes workshops, roundtables and guidance documents.
This study, conducted with NSF support, stems from the understanding that more people in the workforce need to know about AI. According to experts, the future of computer science education will focus not on coding, but on algorithmic thinking and AI literacy.
Algorithmic thinking involves breaking down problems into smaller pieces, developing step-by-step solutions, and reaching data-based conclusions. AI literacy, on the other hand, involves understanding how AI works, how to use it responsibly, and how it impacts society. It is emphasized that students should be taught concepts such as conscious skepticism during this process.
At Carnegie Mellon, faculty members believe that practical courses that will cover traditional programming fundamentals and AI tools together may come to the fore. Cortina says that students see AI as a magic solution for homework and do not understand the codes they write, but over time they realize the limitations of this approach.
Students are now content with using AI only to create prototypes, detect errors, or as a digital tutor; they avoid over-dependence. Another challenge students face is the shrinking job market.
Computer science graduates who used to find jobs easily in previous years can no longer even get interviews without applying hundreds of times. Connor Drake, a student at the University of North Carolina, considers himself lucky to have landed an internship after only 30 applications.
Drake chose to broaden his skills by minoring in political science and security studies in addition to his computer science education. Drake, who is also the president of the cybersecurity club at his university, emphasizes the importance of versatile equipment.
According to experts, this challenging environment is not only due to artificial intelligence. Large technology companies have slowed down hiring in the post-pandemic period. Job postings, especially for candidates with two years or less experience, have decreased by 65 percent in the last three years.
The decrease in overall job postings is around 58 percent. According to CompTIA’s analysis, the main reason for this decline is post-pandemic labor regulations and economic uncertainty. The direct impact of artificial intelligence has not yet been fully observed.
Nevertheless, industry experts believe that artificial intelligence will bring long-term growth to the software world. As with every new IT revolution, artificial intelligence is also increasing the demand for software. This time, what makes the difference is the software developmentrmer is no longer just the domain of engineers.
Workers in medicine, marketing, and many other sectors will be able to develop applications using chatbots trained on data specific to their field. According to Stanford University Computer Science Professor Alex Aiken, the number of software engineering positions may decrease, but the number of people writing code will increase.
