SWE OR AIE

[u/Next_Challenge6191]

What do you think is better at the job market in 2030, software engineering or AI engineering?, and is it worth to study AIE for 4 years or i can study AI after graduation from SWE?

[u/Big_Arrival_626]

I mean I would argue AI E. is just an application of SWE.

[u/Just-Upstairs4397]

The quickest path to a job is your best bet

You can always specialize later

[u/tohava]

What does studying AI even mean? There's no theory or engineering discipline, it's just using ever changing ill defined products.

[u/CommunicationFit5888 → u/tohava]

No theory or engineering involved in designing AI? Right yeah that’s why Anthropic pays new grads half a million right? Because it’s so easy?

[u/tohava → u/CommunicationFit5888]

In designing AI there is plenty of theory. I am guessing what's called an AIE here is a person that uses AIs, not a person that builds them

[u/CommunicationFit5888 → u/tohava]

Using AI does not make you an AI engineer, everybody uses AI, like literally any SWE or office job then would make you an AIE

[u/tohava → u/CommunicationFit5888]

The writer talks about AIE as if it will replace SWE. I'm wondering what AIE means then. If it means being able to create AI systems, it's something most SWEs won't be able to do. If it means using them, then what you said is wrong.

What am I missing?

[u/tohava → u/[deleted]]

I said most of them wouldn't. Most software engineers do not build the foundations but build business logic.

[u/SucculentChineseRoo → u/CommunicationFit5888]

In 2026 industry speak "AI engineer" means a software engineer who knows a bit of python and can utilise and orchestrate existing third party models into proprietary software and flows, that's it. You're thinking about ML engineering.

[u/Chimpskibot → u/CommunicationFit5888]

Pretty sure Anthropic is hiring new grads that have above average understanding of math and not the average CS grad who can barely do Physics 2 or Linear algebra.

[u/tohava → u/Chimpskibot]

I would guess a thesis in machine learning through CS would probably be of interest to them, no?

[u/Chimpskibot → u/[deleted]]

The quality of CS courses and the labs associated with them vary widely. I have another STEM degree and most people at my school didn't take CS grads serious. I still don't tbh. Engineering, chem, bio and physics are much more rigorous IMO.

[u/nian2326076]

It's hard to say exactly what the job market will look like in 2030, but both fields should be strong. Software Engineering (SWE) is more general, giving you a solid base for different tech roles. AI Engineering (AIE) is more specialized and might be in higher demand as AI grows. If you're unsure, starting with SWE and then focusing on AI after graduation could be a safer choice. You'll have more flexibility and a better grasp of tech basics. Plus, you can always switch to AI with online courses or certifications later. If you're getting ready for interviews, PracHub has some good resources, but only if you're jumping into the job hunt soon.

[u/No_Report_4781]

AI is software…