College students shifting majors due to AI innovations

AI adds a new layer to the already complex decision of choosing a college major.

Roughly one in six students, or 16%, say they have changed their majors influenced by AI's role in the job market, as found in a Gallup and Lumina Foundation survey of almost 3,800 students.

The survey results, published on Thursday, also showed that 47% of college students have seriously considered shifting their major for the same reason.

"This is one of the clear signs that students are reassessing their futures because of AI," Dr. Courtney Brown, vice president of impact and planning at Lumina Foundation, told Business Insider.

Students enrolled in tech and trade programs are more likely to rethink their majors, with about 70% in each field having considered it deeply. On the other hand, those pursuing healthcare and natural sciences are less likely to change due to AI's influence.

Among the 16% who shifted their majors, 26% went for social sciences, 17% for business, and 13% chose technology.

"Students are moving both into and out of tech fields. Some are drawn to tech because of AI opportunities, while others are deterred, worried about possible disruptions," Brown explained.

In tech-related majors, there's a trend away from areas more easily automated by AI, according to a report by Niche cited, based on the interests of high school seniors.

The report, launched in March, highlighted a growing interest in AI development, such as software engineering and AI-centric areas, over traditional coding.

Interest in programming made up 10% of computer science interests in 2026, down from 14% in 2020. Meanwhile, AI saw elevated interest, climbing from 1.7% of computer science enrollments in 2023 to 4.7% by 2026.

Interest in software engineering also rose, up by 1.2 percentage points from 2025 to 2026, accounting for 22% of computer science pursuits.

The Gallup survey showed that students in humanities, healthcare, and natural sciences were among the least likely to switch majors due to AI.

It also revealed that fields such as social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities were less inclined to interact with AI.

"These areas aren't expected to be overtaken by AI yet," Brown noted.

The findings come as English majors are experiencing a resurgence, and some colleges are revamping liberal arts education by integrating AI with the humanities, as important skills in the field become more valued.

Picking a college major remains a big decision, even as industries rapidly evolve and AI changes career landscapes. However, a degree isn't everything.

A HireVue report on global hiring trends for the class of 2026, released in March, observed that while 79% of entry-level jobs still require a bachelor's degree, nearly 70% of companies are moving towards skills-based hiring.

In the US, more than 25% of businesses are considering easing degree requirements to focus on skill-based hiring practices.