If Majoring In Computer Science Is Doomed Due To AI, The Latest Claim Is That Majoring In Philosophy Is The Next Best Choice

InnovationAIIf Majoring In Computer Science Is Doomed Due To AI, The Latest Claim Is That Majoring In Philosophy Is The Next Best ChoiceByLance Eliot,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Dr. Lance B. Eliot is a world-renowned AI scientist and consultant.Follow AuthorMay 22, 2026, 03:15am EDTChoosing a college major has gotten a lot harder, especially due to the advent of AI and its impacts on the future of society.gettyIn today’s column, I examine a rising proposition that computer science as a major in college is coming rapidly to a dead-end due to the advent of AI, and thus, some alternative major ought to be chosen. Of the possibilities for which major to select, there is a strident claim that philosophy is the next best choice.I will address three fundamental questions on this controversial topic:(1) Is it true that majoring in computer science is hopeless and ought to be avoided?(2) Would philosophy be a suitable major instead of majoring in computer science?(3) Are there any other majors that might be satisfactory choices?Let’s talk about it.This analysis of AI breakthroughs is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI, including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here). The Status Of Computer ScienceThere has been some heavy handwringing lately that the number of college students opting to major in computer science has taken a slight downward dip. This seems shocking given that computer science has been the darling of chosen majors in recent times. Nearly everyone has wanted to major in computer science. Doing so was exciting, cool, and held the promise of big bucks and a stellar career.What’s going on? Well, some ardently claim that AI is going to wipe out the field of computer science. AI is increasingly adept at generating code. All those millions of software engineers and computer programmers are presumably on the chopping block and will be summarily r...