DeepMind's Demis Hassabis backs STEM degrees in AI era

Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis believes artificial intelligence is changing software development, but students should continue pursuing STEM and computer science because strong technical foundations allow people to use AI tools far more effectively. He also argued that the AI era will increase demand for ethics and humanities.

STEM knowledge remains a key advantage

Speaking at a business conference in London, Hassabis rejected the idea that AI will make computer science degrees obsolete.

He said programming has evolved from machine code to languages such as C and Python, and suggested that English could become the next "programming language" as AI-powered coding tools continue to improve.

However, he stressed that AI cannot replace the need to understand software architecture, engineering principles and technical fundamentals.

"You absolutely needed to lean into STEM and computer science," Hassabis said. "It's just a higher-level programming language is the way you can think about what programming is going to become."

He added that people with deep technical knowledge would have a significant advantage over those without it.

"You're still going to need to know about architecting things and best software engineering practices," Hassabis said. "Those people who understand the deep technical, they'll be able to use these tools 10 times more effectively than people who don't have that technical knowledge."

AI also raises demand for humanities

While encouraging students to pursue STEM, Hassabis said the AI era also makes subjects such as philosophy, economics and ethics increasingly valuable.

"I also believe that the time is now for the humanities like philosophy, economics. I think we really need them in the world we're about to enter," he said.

His comments come as some students question whether AI coding tools could reduce the value of computer science degrees.

Tech leaders defend computer science degrees

Hassabis joins several prominent technology leaders who have argued that AI will transform software development without making technical education redundant.

AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton previously said that while AI may replace the work of competent mid-level programmers, a computer science degree remains valuable because it teaches far more than coding.

Similarly, Affirm CEO Max Levchin has said computer science fundamentals are essential for distinguishing well-designed software from poor-quality code, arguing that programming also requires judgment, taste and an understanding of elegant software design.