Ten careers in decline, according to Harvard: computer science is no longer as profitable as it used to be

A Harvard study identified the ten college majors with the greatest downward trend.

Harvard labor economist David J. Deming, along with researcher Kadeem Noray, concluded that the economic returns of traditional applied degrees, such as computer science, engineering, and business, are rapidly declining over the years.

This finding shows that these college degrees are no longer as profitable as they once were, reflecting a significant shift in the value of these professions.

The list of degrees mentioned in the report is as follows:

General Business Administration (including the MBA): A surplus of graduates and changes in hiring criteria have diminished its economic attractiveness.

Computer Science: It offers a high starting salary, but skills quickly become outdated if not constantly updated.

Mechanical Engineering: Automation and outsourcing have reduced its demand.

Accounting: The advancement of artificial intelligence and automation has limited human intervention.

Biochemistry: Its job prospects outside academia are limited.

Psychology (undergraduate): There are few immediate employment opportunities without postgraduate studies.

English and Humanities: The decline in the number of students and uncertainty in the labor market affect its relevance.

Sociology and Social Sciences: They show a poor match between education and available employment.

History: Salaries tend to be lower towards the middle of the career.

Philosophy: Although its skills are recognized, they do not translate into direct commercial advantages.

According to Harvard experts, the future of education will depend on the ability to adapt and integrate different areas of knowledge.

They anticipate that programs that merge technology, a focus on people, and continuous development will have an advantage over traditional, narrowly focused programs.

Three jobs that AI is creating

The growth of artificial intelligence is not only transforming work dynamics, it is also giving rise to new professions.

One of these is that of AI interaction designer, responsible for defining how people interact with these systems, from the tone and naturalness of responses to their clarity.

Companies are increasingly seeking specialists in prompting, technical language, emotional management, and user experience to ensure effective interactions with AI technologies.

Other emerging professions linked to artificial intelligence include:

AI Ethics and Bias Auditor.

Oversees that artificial intelligence systems adhere to ethical and regulatory principles, avoiding bias and unfair decisions.

This role is becoming key in areas such as credit, medical diagnoses, and job selection processes, where neutral oversight is essential to prevent negative consequences.

AI Trainer / Human Feedback Specialist.

Guides and adjusts the learning of artificial intelligences, providing examples and corrections so they respond according to specific contexts and needs.

Their role is crucial in sectors such as medicine, law, and education, where AI trained with expert knowledge and adapted to professional specifics is required.

"We are living in an era of digital transformation in which our daily lives, and especially the business ecosystem, are being influenced by artificial intelligence. This requires a true upgrade in skills, knowledge, and concepts," emphasized Herick Salcedo, Talent Inbound Strategy Manager at Nearsure, a Nortal company.

In this context, a global study conducted by the technology consulting firm SEIDOR indicates that 77% of companies in Latin America plan to increase their investments in artificial intelligence.

This development redefines the evolution of industries and demands a new common language: prompting, LLMs, generative AI, vibe coding, and other competencies already considered key skills for excelling in the digital age.

A McKinsey study reveals that 25% of current jobs will disappear or be completely transformed within two decades due to artificial intelligence and automation.