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Is AI/ML still worth pursuing long-term, or will automation kill those jobs too?

I’m choosing a major soon. From your experience, will AI/ML and math-based tech careers stay stable and useful in the next 10–30 years?
Which parts of your job are hardest to automate?
What skills will still matter even if AI gets stronger?
What would you tell a 16-year-old starting now?
im a sophomore student in high school in Budapest, I really like ai, tech, math, computer science and coding related stuff right now. everyone tells me that once I graduate high school in the next 2-3 years, ai will automated everything and these fields would be useless in the next 10 years. and my plan at first was to move somewhere nice even if its not improved in tech but work remotely in these fields but now im scared that by then id probably have low chances of getting a remote job. or I might have to be in countries with fast improving tech. I barely have info on anything and nobody around me specializes in these stuff so im clueless and only rely on random articles and exaggerated research and now im scared that I ight have to take a major in subjects I absolutely hate.

engineering computer-science tech coding robotics mathematics artificial-intelligence highschoolstudent informatics
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Yoav’s Answer

That is a very relevant and genuine fear, and it is completely understandable that you feel worried when you hear so many conflicting reports, but please know that your passion for AI, math, and coding is pointing you toward a field that is far from becoming useless; in fact, the consensus among experts is that AI will mostly augment or change jobs rather than eliminate the ones that require deep technical skill, so AI/ML careers will remain stable and crucial for the next several decades. The hardest parts of these jobs for automation are the human-centric tasks—specifically defining the right problem to solve, interpreting results in a business or ethical context, translating messy real-world goals into mathematical problems, and most importantly, the creative and critical thinking required for designing brand-new, novel AI systems that haven't been built before. The most valuable skills that will still matter are not just coding, but critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, ethics, and communication, because you will be the bridge between the machine's capabilities and human needs. My advice to a 16-year-old starting now is to absolutely pursue your interests in these fields, focus intensely on the foundational math and theoretical computer science, and realize that your remote job opportunities will likely increase, not decrease, because every industry in every country will need experts who can implement and manage these complex systems, making your location less important than your expertise. You should trust your passion and excitement for the subject, as that genuine interest will fuel the continuous learning needed to stay ahead of the curve. Good luck with your studies in Budapest!
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Sumitra’s Answer

Dear Amy,
AI/ML is absolutely still worth pursuing.
Automation doesn’t eliminate technical fields, it just changes them. The hardest parts of AI/ML to automate are the human ones: choosing the right problem, understanding real-world context, designing ethical solutions, and turning messy situations into clear mathematical steps. Those skills will always need people, not machines. If you enjoy math, coding, and technology, you are moving toward a field that will stay important for decades. Remote work in AI/ML is growing, not shrinking, because every industry now needs people who understand both technology and humans. With global regulations emphasizing on human in the loop as a mandate in AI systems, there will only be growth of job opportunities than scarcity. I would therefore recommend you to please pursue the subjects you enjoy, because genuine interest will carry you far beyond anything automation can replace.
Hope this helps! 🙂
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Kirthi’s Answer

Hi Amy,

Take a deep breath. The articles you are reading are designed to get clicks by scaring people.
Here is the honest truth from someone in the industry: Do not change your major. You are on the right path.

Here is why you don’t need to worry:

1. AI Replaces Typing, Not Thinking
AI is really just a super-advanced version of autocomplete. It is great at writing code syntax (the typing), but it is not great at high-level architecture or complex logic (the thinking).

The Old Job: Spending 8 hours typing code to build a website.
The New Job: Spending 1 hour using AI to write the code, and 7 hours solving complex math problems to make sure the AI is right.

Because you love Math and CS, you are safe. You are not just a "coder" (who might be replaced); you are an engineer (who solves problems).

2. What Cannot Be Automated?
The "Why": AI can tell you how to build a bridge, but it can't tell you where to put it or why people need it. Understanding vague human problems is a human skill.
Complex Math & Logic: AI creates things based on probability (guessing). It often makes logical errors. We will always need humans with strong math skills to verify the machines.

3. Advice for a 16-Year-Old
Stick with Math: Many people skip the hard math (Calculus, Linear Algebra). Don't skip it. Understanding the math behind AI makes you the master of the tool, not the victim of it.
Learn to Use AI: Don't fear it. Start using tools like ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot now. In 10 years, the best engineers won't be the ones who type the fastest; they will be the ones who can direct AI the best.
The Remote Work Reality: You might have to work in an office for your first 2-3 years to learn from seniors (it’s harder to get mentored over Zoom). But once you are an expert? You can work from anywhere in the world.

My final say: The world will need more people who understand technology in 2035, not fewer. Don't let fear push you into a career you hate.
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