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+# Do Not Fear the Threat Artificial Intelligence Poses Computer Science
+
+*A Brief introduction*
+
+Computer science positions are some of the fastest growing occupations as nearly 400,000 openings are projected per year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2020, the median annual wage of computer and information technology occupations was $100,530 and $50,000 more than the median annual wage of all occupations at $46,310 the same year (BLS). However, one look at Reddit’s r/csmajors would tell a different story. The general conscious seems to be that computer science is a dead end. Too much competition, not enough opportunities, and increasingly demanding prerequisites. But how can this be? The field is predicted to grow by 15% by 2031 (Indeed). In truth, it's far more complex than it seems on the surface. The industry itself continues to grow but future advancement in artificial intelligence could threaten to throw a wrench in it. Will the industry be able to weather the storm? Yes. Artificial intelligence will be a tool used to create better code and improve the industry, not replace it.
+
+*Some Context*
+
+Artificial intelligence, or AI for short, has taken over the media in the last two years and its debut could mark the beginning of a new age of technology. With the introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot, it's safe to say that almost everyone has been exposed to this development at some point. With how abrupt AI’s inception has been and with the level of exposure it has gotten, it’s no surprise that a level of panic has set in. Almost immediately, a lot of fields under the liberal arts umbrella were perceived to be under threat. It seemed that the chatbots would replace writers, art-generating AI like OpenAI’s DALL-E would replace artists, and various AI music generators as well as tools would bring the music industry crumbling down. Fortunately, these fields still require a lot of innovation and creativity that AI is just not capable of as of now.
+
+![The first image example of what using ChatGPT to write code looks like.](assets/ChatGPT_code.png)
+
+*Ramifications for Computer Science*
+
+Once the dust cleared, a new wave of alarm emerged with technological and computer science industries coming into the crossfire. The nature of the day-to-day work loop of web development and software engineering jobs makes them especially vulnerable to artificial intelligence. Even now, ChatGPT can write intricate code that would take a professional countless hours of labor instantaneously. Artificial Intelligence can, potentially, code faster than humans which could mean a reduction in job openings (Brook’s Institute). Junior programming jobs will probably come into the fire first which could increase how demanding the already rigorous boundaries of entry are (Business Insider). Artificial intelligence excels at performing repetitive tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Unfortunately, programming jobs involve a lot of bug fixing and code testing as well as generation, all tasks that are repetitive and easily accomplished by AI applications like ChatGPD currently. That does not bode well for how future-proof these positions will be. Furthermore, with the use of AI, new applications will be developed that could be used to design websites and run maintenance programs that will deem some software engineering positions impractical (Medium).
+
+*On the Bright Side*
+
+Despite this, however, there has been a significant effort to protect the potentially 300 million jobs that are endangered by advancement in artificial intelligence. Last year, Elon Musk and over 1,000 other scientists called for a temporary pause on AI development to protect industries and, supposedly, humanity itself (Reuters). ChatGPD also, seemingly, had a change in policy regarding printing intricate code. The application now prompts users to hire a programmer which sheds some light on the effort these companies are making in an attempt to prevent the unthinkable (Business Insider). AI could prospectively increase corporate profits by about 4.4 billion dollars which could create new jobs or opportunities for already existing jobs in the computer science field. There’s no ignoring the fact that 30% of labor hours in the United States could be automated and 12 million workers may have to find new fields of employment by 2030, but artificial intelligence has the prospective qualities to become humanity's greatest innovation and tool. As soon as 2025, artificial intelligence and machine learning could create over 97 million jobs globally (McKinsey Global Institute). The possibilities are endless, but computer scientists need to stay up to date with advancements in artificial intelligence so that it can be a help, not a hindrance.
+
+![A drawing of Luddites destroying machinery from the industrial revolution (1811-1816)](assets/luddites.jpg)
+
+*Some Historical Analysis*
+
+In the end, computer science is the story of human innovation, automation, and in some ways, replacement. From the Industrial Revolution to the upcoming, or current, age of artificial intelligence, technology has seen a significant amount of resistance. When the limited and spinning wheel-reliant textile industry of the pre-industrial revolution age was replaced with the spinning jenny, the workers of the time took matters into their own hands by destroying machinery in cotton mills they believed would threaten their jobs. Of course, the plights and actions of the Luddites seem ridiculous by today’s standards but what they were gripping with can be easily synthesized by the concerns of the present. Humanity always adapts and moves forward with change. The “coding” of the future will look nothing like the coding of today, but that is also true of the coding of the past. What computer scientists and programmers pour endless hours of hard work into does not match what Ada Lovelace or Alan Turing created (LinkedIn). Most of the computer scientists of the present do not code in BASIC anymore, just as those of the future will probably not use Python or Java. Man’s fight with what it invents is a tale as old as time and remains a constant theme as something that captivates our imaginations. Enthusiastically await, dread, or ignore it. It is simply an unshakeable state of affairs that has persisted through our past, dominates our present, and will define our future. Change does not merely replace or introduce and it is neither malicious nor benevolent, it just is.
+
+*What Does This All Mean?*
+
+Any current or prospective computer scientists must know that any threat artificial intelligence may pose to their industry is not purely hostile. Continue to learn all you can about what you care about. Invest your time in what you believe to be the most valuable use of it. Make use of every opportunity in your path and every second in your possession for change comes for us all. It could be as swiftly as tomorrow or as gradually as three decades from now. Never stop learning so that when it does come, you’ll be ready to adapt, improve, and prosper despite its obstacles.
+
+*Bibliography*
+
+1. Elon Musk and Others Urge Ai Pause, Citing “risks to Society” | Reuters, www.reuters.com/technology/musk-experts-urge-pause-training-ai-systems-that-can-outperform-gpt-4-2023-03-29/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
+
+2. Job Outlook for Careers in Computer Science | Indeed.Com, www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/job-outlook-for-computer-science. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024. 
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+3. “Fastest Growing Occupations : Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm. 
+
+4. “Computer and Information Technology Occupations : Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm. 
+
+5. “These Industries Will Face the Biggest Talent Shortages by 2030.” LinkedIn, www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/talent-strategy/industries-biggest-talent-shortages-2030. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024. 
+
+6. “Will AI Replace Programmers? Navigating the Future of Coding.” Will AI Replace Programmers? Navigating the Future of Coding | Continuing Education | UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/news-and-events/division-of-extended-studies-blog/will-ai-replace-programmers-the-future-of-coding. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024. 
+
+7. Zinkula, Jacob. “Chatgpt May Be Coming for Our Jobs. Here Are the 10 Roles That AI Is Most Likely to Replace.” Business Insider, Business Insider, www.businessinsider.com/chatgpt-jobs-at-risk-replacement-artificial-intelligence-ai-labor-trends-2023-02#tech-jobs-coders-computer-programmers-software-engineers-data-analysts-1. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024. 
+
+8. Chui, Michael, and Lareina Yee. “Ai Could Increase Corporate Profits by $4.4 Trillion a Year, According to New Research.” McKinsey & Company, McKinsey & Company, 18 July 2023, www.mckinsey.com/mgi/overview/in-the-news/ai-could-increase-corporate-profits-by-4-trillion-a-year-according-to-new-research. 
+
+9. Pednekar, Pratik. “How Ai Is Threatening the Future of Programming Jobs.” Medium, Medium, 12 Feb. 2023, epratik.medium.com/how-ai-is-threatening-the-future-of-programming-jobs-771cb1aecc. 
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+10. M., Sanjay K. “The Evolution of Programming Languages: Past, Present, and Future.” The Evolution of Programming Languages: Past, Present, and F, 28 Mar. 2023, www.linkedin.com/pulse/evolution-programming-languages-past-present-future-mohindroo-.