In the last five years, artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from research labs into everyday work tools. ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other AI systems are now part of coding, testing, and product design workflows. This shift has triggered a global question: Will AI replace software engineers?

India with its 5.4 million software engineers and professionals is a key player in this debate. The conversation is not about a sudden end to human coding jobs. Instead, it is about how AI will change the way engineers work, and who will remain in demand. This article examines the facts, the trends, and how students can prepare to thrive in the AI age.

AI’s Disruption Across Sectors – India & Global

AI has not targeted software engineering alone. It has reshaped sectors from healthcare to logistics. In India:

• Banking & Finance: AI algorithms now handle fraud detection and credit scoring. HDFC Bank uses AI-driven chatbots for customer queries.
  
  

• Healthcare: Apollo Hospitals uses AI for radiology image analysis reducing scan interpretation times
  
  

• Manufacturing: Tata Steel uses predictive AI to reduce downtime
  
  

• Retail & E-commerce: Flipkart applies AI for personalized product recommendations
  
  

Globally McKinsey (2023) reports AI could automate up to 25% of work activities across industries by 2030. In software engineering AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot can speed up development by 55%

This does not mean every job will vanish. It means the value of human creativity, problem-solving, and domain expertise will increase. AI will replace repetitive tasks but will need humans for system design, decision-making, and ethical oversight.

Layoffs: More Than Just AI’s Fault

The headlines often connect layoffs directly to AI adoption. In 2023–24 tech giants like Google, Microsoft and Amazon cut thousands of jobs. But the root causes go deeper:

1. Economic Slowdowns: Rising inflation and reduced consumer demand forced cost-cutting
   
   

2. Post-Pandemic Over-Hiring: Companies scaled up too quickly in 2020–21 to meet digital demand
   
   

3. Shift to Efficiency: Businesses are restructuring to focus on fewer but more skilled roles

Wipro and Infosys of India have put their pace of hiring in lower gear in 2024 following the slack report of weak international IT demand. The use of AI also contributed to the automation of some functions but the more significant problem was changes in project requirements. A lot of employees did not have skills in cloud, cybersecurity, or AI-led development as these markets are in demand.

The takeaway: layoffs are not all about AI. They deal with the issue of whether the market needs match the skills.

Skills Gap: The Silent Job Killer

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report (2023) predicts that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted in the next five years. This does not mean every worker will lose their job — it means those who do not upskill will struggle.

In software engineering, the skills gap is clear:

• Legacy coders skilled only in older languages like COBOL or VB may find fewer opportunities
  
  

• Engineers without exposure to AI-powered development tools risk falling behind peers who use them daily
  
  

• Knowledge of data science, cloud computing and security is becoming essential

A survey by NASSCOM found that 69% of Indian IT professionals feel they need to reskill to stay relevant. This is why AI courses for students are not optional anymore they are the foundation for future employability

Predictive Analysis: Where Software Engineering Jobs Stand

To answer “Will AI replace software engineers?” we need to look at projections.

• Gartner predicts that by 2027 50% of enterprise software engineering tasks will be automated by AI tools
  
  

• However global demand for software products is still growing Statista projects the software market to hit $1.79 trillion by 2030
  
  

What changes is the nature of the job.

• Today’s coder may write hundreds of lines of code manually.
  
  

• Tomorrow’s engineer may spend more time designing system architecture, integrating AI-generated code, and verifying performance.
  
  

In India, AI may actually open up 2.6 million new technology jobs by 2028 including positions in AI development, machine learning Engineering and humanAI ecosystem facilitator roles.

The message is obvious, and it is that AI will not eliminate the demand of software engineers but the need of engineers who are not able to adapt. Individuals able to combine the proficiency of coding and AI will own the future.

Preparing Students for an AI-First Future

The question is no longer Will AI replace jobs? The real question is: How do we prepare for jobs that AI cannot take away?

Students entering the workforce in the next decade will face an environment where ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other AI tools are as common as email. That means every B.Tech Computer Science Engineering graduate must learn how to adapt AI in all courses, not just as an optional subject but as a core skill.

Preparation involves three layers:

1. Technical fluency – Understanding AI models, APIs and AI-powered development environments

2. Problem-solving ability – Using AI as a co-pilot for innovation not as a crutch

3. Industry context – Knowing how AI impacts sectors like finance, healthcare and logistics to apply solutions effectively

In India the push for AI literacy is urgent. According to NITI Aayog AI could add $957 billion to India’s economy by 2035 but only if the talent pool is ready. Students must treat AI like the next generation of the calculator essential, universal and unavoidable

Becoming Irreplaceable in the Age of AI

Automation eliminates routine. What remains for humans is creativity, empathy and complex decision-making. Students who want to be irreplaceable must:

• Master cross-domain skills: Combine coding with business understanding, design thinking or data ethics
  
  

• Build strong communication skills: AI can generate reports, but explaining strategies to stakeholders is still a human skill
  
  

• Engage in continuous learning: The half-life of tech skills is now under three years
  
  

Consider a software engineer at a global fintech firm. AI can write standard code for payment processing. But designing a secure, regulation-compliant financial product for different countries? That requires a human who understands law, culture and technology. This is why Will AI replace software engineers? is an incomplete question the real challenge is replacing those who cannot evolve

The Role of AI in Engineering Education

Engineering education in India is shifting. Universities now integrate AI courses for students into standard B.Tech CS programs. The goal is not to replace foundational knowledge in algorithms, operating systems, or databases. It is to embed AI as a layer on top of traditional skills.

Key educational shifts include:

• Hands-on AI projects: Using tools like Gemini for code generation and Claude for documentation analysis

• Industry-driven curriculum: Partnering with companies to ensure students learn in-demand AI frameworks

• Interdisciplinary exposure: Combining AI with healthcare, agriculture or sustainability projects

Globally universities in the US, UK and Singapore have already moved to mandatory AI literacy for engineering students. India is now accelerating the same trend making an engineering course with AI in India a direct gateway to competitive careers

B.Tech CS and AI at Rishihood University – A Strategic Choice

Rishihood University offers a B.Tech CS and AI program designed for the next wave of innovation. The course blends B.Tech Computer Science Engineering fundamentals with deep AI integration, preparing students for industries where AI is central.

Why this course stands out:

• Cutting-edge AI labs: Students work with tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude as part of daily learning
  
  

• Industry mentorship: Access to professionals from top tech firms for project guidance
  
  

• Future-ready curriculum: Covers AI ethics, AI-driven software development and sector-specific AI applications
  
  

• Global exposure: Opportunities for internships with AI-focused startups and research groups worldwide
  
  

Graduates are trained not only to code but to lead AI-driven transformations in companies. This makes them highly employable in a market where many are still figuring out how to adapt AI in all courses

The fear around AI taking away jobs often ignores the bigger truth: technology has always reshaped work but it has also created new opportunities. Will AI replace jobs? Yes, in repetitive areas. But it will also create roles we cannot yet name

For India’s aspiring engineers the focus should not be on competing against AI but on learning to work with it. Those who embrace AI tools, adapt quickly and keep expanding their skills will not only survive but thrive

Rishihood University’s B.Tech CS and AI program equips students with technical expertise and adaptive mindset. In a world where AI is everywhere. This is how you become the kind of professional that no machine can replace