Khaberni - This fall, universities in California have witnessed a significant development that brings to mind the post-internet bubble atmosphere at the dawn of the millennium.
According to a report published by the "San Francisco Chronicle", enrollment in computer science majors has declined by 6% this year, following a previous decrease of 3% in 2024.
The irony is that this decline occurred despite an increase in overall US university enrollment rates by 2%, according to January data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
This means that students are not turning away from university studies; rather, they are redirecting their academic compass.
The only exception within the California university system was the University of California San Diego, which launched a new major in artificial intelligence this year, making it the only university that recorded growth in this field.
From computer science to artificial intelligence
The drop might seem linked to the difficulty in employing computer science graduates recently, but broader indicators suggest a deeper structural shift.
While some American universities hesitate to overhaul their programs, China is rapidly advancing the general integration of AI culture.
A previous report by "MIT" magazine indicated that Chinese universities treat artificial intelligence as a basic infrastructure, not just a technical specialty.
About 60% of students and faculty members there use artificial intelligence tools several times daily, with universities like Zhejiang making AI courses mandatory, and prestigious institutions like Tsinghua establishing interdisciplinary colleges devoted to this field.
In China, proficiency in artificial intelligence is no longer an added advantage; it is a fundamental requirement.
American race to catch up
Conversely, over the past two years, American universities have been launching specialized artificial intelligence programs at an accelerated pace.
The "Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making" major at Massachusetts Institute of Technology has become the second largest major on campus.
As revealed by "The New York Times", the University of South Florida attracted more than 3,000 students to a new college of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity during the last fall semester.
Last summer, the University at Buffalo launched a new department titled "Artificial Intelligence and Society", featuring seven specialized undergraduate programs, and received over 200 applications before its official opening.
However, the transition has not been smooth in all universities. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the administration faced resistance from some faculty members when merging two colleges to create an academic entity focused on artificial intelligence, reflecting a division between those pushing for adoption of the technology and those who are cautious about it.
The impact of parents and automation fears
The role of parents is also present in this transition. After years of encouraging their children to study computer science, some have begun directing them towards majors they see as less prone to automation, such as mechanical and electrical engineering.
However, numbers indicate that students themselves are reevaluating their priorities.
In a survey conducted by the Computing Research Association last October, 62% of the participating departments reported a decline in students in computing programs this fall.
Conversely, artificial intelligence programs are expanding rapidly. Several universities are preparing to launch new majors in this field, including University of Southern California, Columbia University, Pace University, and New Mexico State University.
Is it a permanent shift?
It is still too early to determine whether this shift is permanent or a temporary reaction to labor market disruptions.
But what is certain is that American universities are facing a real test: the debate about banning tools like ChatGPT is in the past, and the question is no longer whether we use artificial intelligence, but how we reshape education around it?
While some administrations continue to debate, it seems that students have already made their decision and chosen the new direction.
