Artificial intelligence is growing fast, and many students today are confused about whether a computer science degree is still worth it. With tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI models getting better at writing code, a big question keeps coming up: Is it still a good idea to study computer science?
Recently, Geoffrey Hinton, one of the most respected researchers in the AI world, shared his thoughts in an interview with Business Insider. His message was very clear: this is not the time to give up on computer science. Even if AI is changing the way coding works, the value of a CS degree is still strong and will remain important for a long time.
In this article, let’s break down his advice in a simple, easy-to-read way that anyone can understand.
Why a Computer Science Degree Still Matters in 2025
Hinton explained that many people misunderstand what a CS degree actually teaches. A lot of people think computer science is just about “learning to code” or writing programs. But according to him, this is only a small part of the field.
AI tools can now handle mid-level coding tasks. This means basic programming jobs may not remain as strong as before. But that does not mean the entire degree loses value. In fact, Hinton said the opposite.
A CS degree teaches you how systems work, how computers think, and how problems are solved using logic and mathematics. These skills are the foundation of technology, and AI cannot replace them. This is why Hinton believes a computer science degree will stay valuable for many more years.
OpenAI’s chairman Bret Taylor also agreed. He said that coding is not only about writing code lines, it is about understanding systems. This is the real strength of a CS degree.
How Computer Science is Changing Because of AI
AI is definitely changing the industry. Many companies are now using AI coding tools to speed up development. This means students and engineers need to adapt.
Google’s head of Android, Sameer Samat, said that the future of CS education should be more about solving problems using technology, not just learning syntax or memorising programming languages. AI will write more code in the future, but the thinking behind the code will still need human brains.
Hany Farid, a professor at UC Berkeley, added that some of the most exciting jobs for CS graduates are no longer in big tech companies like Google, Facebook or Amazon. Instead, the new opportunities are coming from fields like:
- computational drug discovery
- medical imaging
- computational neuroscience
- computational finance
- digital humanities like art and music
- data-driven policy
This clearly shows how computer science is expanding into many different industries. AI is not killing CS — it is making it bigger.
Learning to Code Is Still Useful for Students
Hinton also shared a message for school students. Many parents and teachers wonder if kids should still learn coding when AI can already generate programs.
Hinton compared learning coding to learning Latin. You may never use Latin in real life, but learning it helps you think better. In the same way, coding helps students understand logic, structure and creativity. He believes learning to code is still very helpful, even if AI eventually handles most of the coding work.
Coding gives students a strong mental exercise, a way to train their brain to think clearly. And this skill will never go out of demand.
Skills That Will Always Be Important in the AI Era
According to Hinton, students and upcoming engineers should focus on evergreen skills. These are skills that will remain important no matter how advanced AI becomes.
These include:
- math
- statistics
- probability
- linear algebra
- system thinking
- problem solving
These are the skills behind machine learning and computer science. Algorithms, data models, neural networks — everything in AI is built on these core principles. So students who learn these basics will always have an advantage.
Hinton said that this kind of knowledge is not going to disappear. AI may write code or solve basic tasks, but understanding how technology works will still depend on humans.
The AI Race: Google vs OpenAI
Hinton also talked about the ongoing competition between Google and OpenAI. According to him, Google is now catching up and may even be ahead in some areas. He said Google’s new model, Gemini 3, has surprised many people with its performance.
Experts say Gemini 3 has become strong enough to compete with or even overtake GPT-5 in some tasks. Hinton added that the surprising part is how long it took Google to reach this point.
This AI race shows one thing very clearly: the field of artificial intelligence is still evolving. New innovations are coming fast, and this will create more opportunities for people with strong computer science knowledge.
Should Students Still Choose a CS Degree?
The simple answer from experts is yes.
Hinton, Bret Taylor, Sameer Samat, and Hany Farid — all of them believe that computer science remains a strong and future-proof choice. But students must understand that the industry is changing. The jobs of the future will not be basic programming roles. Instead, they will require deeper thinking and better problem-solving skills.
A CS degree in 2025 is not only about coding. It is about understanding how technology works, how AI thinks, and how systems can be built to solve real-world problems.
If students focus on the right fundamentals, they can build a career that will stay strong even as AI continues to grow.
Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence is transforming the world, but it is not replacing the need for human knowledge. A computer science degree still gives students the foundation they need to understand and build the technology of the future.
Hinton’s message is simple: do not leave computer science just because AI is improving. Instead, learn the basics deeply, strengthen your critical thinking, and understand the core concepts that run technology. These skills will always keep you ahead.
So whether you are a student, parent, or someone planning your career, the truth is clear — computer science remains a valuable and future-ready degree in 2025 and beyond.
