It wasn’t long ago that many educators and parents encouraged kids to sign up for coding camps, and students were told that computer programming is where they would always find high-paying jobs.
Now, experts in the tech industry and education say it’s not enough to know how to code well. With more companies embracing artificial intelligence (A.I.), fewer jobs are available for those with computer science degrees. Experts agree that there needs to be a shift in how students are taught to prepare them for future jobs. While knowing how to use technology is important, developing “human” skills is vital as well, say educators and tech workers alike.
“When we think about what K-12 students should be learning, it’s important to recognize that technical skills are only half the equation,” says Marci Paino, chief learning officer at Cisco based in San Jose. “The best outcomes occur when we combine tech-savvy abilities with strong human skills. While A.I. can serve as a powerful tool, it’s our judgement, empathy and problem-solving that bring real value. By becoming well-rounded, students will be prepared to thrive and contribute meaningfully in an increasingly digital world.”
In-Demand Tech Jobs
Cisco led a recent study to identify the most in-demand skills for A.I. jobs. Focusing on 50 information and communication technology (ICT) and specialized support roles, the findings showed that 78% of those roles now include A.I. skills, with critical gaps in areas such as generative A.I., large language models, prompt engineering, A.I. ethics and A.I. security. However, the study also found that human skills such as communication, collaboration and leadership are increasingly prioritized for responsible technology adoption.
With this study in mind, Paino, a mother of two, says she would encourage high school students to think about careers in A.I. creation, strategic oversight and ethical governance. Schools can help by prioritizing a blend of practical and experiential learning, technological fluency and human skills like problem solving.
“The curriculum must emphasize foundational skills such as A.I. literacy and the ethical use of technology to ensure that students interact with these tools responsibly,” Paino says. “It is equally important to foster deeply human skills like critical thinking, creativity, ethical reasoning and collaboration, which will remain essential as technology continues to advance.”
Hurdles in Education
Debbie Ong of Cupertino spent 14 years working at Hewlett Packard primarily as a data analyst. In 2012, she decided to pursue a master’s degree in teaching and is now a math and science teacher at a Bay Area middle school. Much of the job she once did at Hewlett Packard could now be replaced with A.I.
“I still have a lot of close friends working in the (tech) industry. I have seen how their careers and paths have changed because of A.I.,” Ong says. “They are going to need less people because A.I. can perform some of these jobs.”
However, people shouldn’t fear this technology, says Ong, the mother of a high school junior, but they should learn to work with it. In schools, some students use it for the wrong reasons like cheating on assignments. However, there are many benefits to A.I., such as using it to enhance an idea you already have, she says.
A challenge is that students are not reading as much because of technology, but reading will help build on the critical thinking skills they need to be valuable in the future workforce.
Different Skills
“My strategy is to emphasize reading, to get them off of the games and get them reading more,” Ong says. “The comprehension and critical thinking skills are not where it used to be in students. Teachers need to focus on that.”
She feels fortunate that her own daughter is showing an interest in robotics, an area that she believes will train students to work with A.I. However, for many schools it’s a challenge to provide these programs because of a lack of teachers. There needs to be more training for teachers to receive computer science credentials.
José Quijas, director of computer sciences and A.I. at the Silicon Valley Education Foundation , agrees. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides computer science training for teachers, funding and programs for schools and scholarships for students.
Schools need to provide more training for teachers to teach A.I. and data literacy as well as human skills like problem solving and critical thinking, he says. A.I. ethics curriculum is also becoming more important. Now that we have the technology we need to learn to use it responsibly.
Quijas offers advice for high school students thinking about their future in a world where technology keeps growing. “Think about how A.I. will help different industries. Healthcare jobs are always going to be there. Engineering jobs will still be there. Try out new tools. Find something that you love doing. There’s always going to be a job for you.”
Is Coding Still a Valuable Skill?
As students graduating with computer science degrees struggle to find jobs, some question whether it’s worthwhile for younger students to learn coding. However, experts suggest these skills are still beneficial.
“The calculator didn’t take away our need to understand math. When it comes to A.I., we still need to understand the logic,” Quijas says. “Universities are going to start giving students harder complex problems to solve because they won’t have to memorize a bunch of syntax. They are going to learn how to debug a lot of A.I. code. The A.I. code won’t be perfect. It makes a lot of mistakes. We need humans in the loop. There’s always going to be a job for humans when it comes to A.I., you just have to understand how that it works.”
At Code Ninjas, a Bay Area center that offers afterschool classes and camps, they are providing opportunities for kids to tinker with A.I. in addition to the coding programs, says Sara Smolevitz, learning design manager at Code Ninjas.
“Computer science is an essential literacy no matter what career you pursue,” she says. “Learning how to code and computer science teaches valuable skills. We’re teaching kids how to be problem solvers, building computation skills, learning how to debug. It’s shifting, but it’s still a valuable skill set to learn.”
Using AI Responsibly
Teaching kids to use artificial intelligence responsibly should be a focus in high schools, Smolevitz says. It’s important for students to know when something is created by artificial intelligence and hasn’t been verified.
“Schools can help by dehumanizing A.I. They can help students recognize Alexa and Siri are machines,” Smolevitz says. “Make sure they remove the pronouns when they refer to them. Shifting the mindset. Using A.I. as a partner.”
Paino of Cisco says it’s important for students to learn how to adapt to change.
“As A.I. and new technologies continue to shape the world around us, it is more important than ever to develop a broad and adaptable skill set,” she says. “My advice is to actively seek out new experiences – both in coursework and extracurricular activities. For example, if you’re passionate about technology or plan to pursue a technical field, don’t overlook the value of classes in humanities. These subjects will help develop vital human skills, which are essential in every aspect of life and will help set you apart in the workplace.”
