Why are we changing our passions because of AI?

Artificial intelligence has become as integrated into our world as breathing.

It’s a worldwide phenomenon, and many people use it daily. AI can assist with a wide range of tasks from recipes to homework.

While it can be a useful and powerful tool, AI is becoming a threat to students. University students, particularly vocational and technology students, view AI as a danger to their livelihoods.

A survey by the Lumina Foundation and Gallup found that among currently enrolled college students, 14 per cent have thought “a great deal” and 33 per cent have thought “a fair amount” about changing their major or field of study because of the effect AI may have on the job market.

But are students actually switching their majors? The polls say yes.

The same survey reported that 16 per cent of students changed their major because of AI, with vocational and technology majors leading the charge at 26 and 25 per cent, respectively.

This shift is not only about job availability, but also about perceived value. Many students are beginning to question whether their degree will hold the same weight in a job market where AI can already perform some entry-level tasks faster and, in some cases, more efficiently.

Uncertainty is pushing some students to prioritize adaptability over specialization.

Unemployment among college graduates in the U.S. is increasing, with majors exposed to AI, like computer engineering and graphic design, experiencing significant increases.

Fields that rely heavily on routine and repetitive tasks, such as basic coding and data entry, are more vulnerable to disruption. In these areas, AI can already replicate aspects of entry-level work, which may reduce demand for junior positions and create anxiety for students entering those industries.

By choosing programs that offer a broader and more flexible set of skills, students are trying to envision a future for themselves.

While some may argue AI is creating jobs, the truth is that young people are still struggling to work. Fields like software development and computer science that experienced a coding boom, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, are seeing increases — but for experienced professionals.

Since ChatGPT was released in November 2022, Associated Press reported that counts for young software developers have dropped but grew for mid-career developers in their 40s. 

Despite AI’s impact, switching your degree isn’t necessarily the solution.

Education remains valuable regardless of technological change, and there will always be a need for human judgment, creativity, and oversight. AI may assist, but not eliminate the importance of human contribution.

Industries that require human interaction, critical thinking, and ethical judgment are more stable.

The Lumina Foundation and Gallup survey also reported that only 9 per cent of both healthcare and natural sciences majors changed their studies because of AI.

Professions like health care rely on interpersonal skills, empathy, and complex decision-making that AI cannot replicate. These careers cannot rely solely on automated systems to perform their main functions.

Likewise, creative fields are resisting AI. While it can assist with design or writing, AI lacks the depth of personal experience and authenticity that human creators bring.

Some students may feel pressure to switch programs out of fear of job loss, while others remain confident by recognizing that adaptation — not abandonment — is the more practical response.

Developing adaptable skills, embracing new technologies, and learning how to work alongside AI may prove more valuable than changing academic paths out of uncertainty.

Rather than ditching what they’re passionate about, students should reconsider how they approach their education.