- Eben Upton says AI could discourage young people from pursuing tech careers.
- Entry level tech jobs are shrinking as companies adopt AI tools.
- Fewer junior roles could worsen the shortage of skilled engineers.
- Parents and students still lack clear guidance about AI’s future impact.
Artificial intelligence is changing the workplace faster than many expected, but not everyone believes the shift is helping the future workforce. Raspberry Pi founder Eben Upton has raised concerns that growing dependence on AI tools may discourage young people from entering technology careers at the exact moment industries need more engineers.
Speaking during the BBC’s Big Boss Interview podcast, Upton warned that AI could influence career decisions in damaging ways. According to him, the rapid rise of automation and AI powered tools risks creating a false impression that technical jobs may soon disappear or lose value. That perception, he believes, could eventually deepen the global shortage of skilled engineers instead of solving it.
AI Hype May Be Sending the Wrong Message
Over the last two years, AI platforms have become a major part of business operations. Companies are increasingly using chatbots, coding assistants, and automation software to handle tasks that once belonged to junior employees. While businesses see this as a way to cut costs and improve efficiency, critics argue the long term effects are being ignored.
Upton believes some companies and technology leaders are overstating what AI can realistically achieve. He suggested that exaggerated claims around AI replacing workers may scare students away from learning coding, engineering, and computer science skills.
That concern arrives at a difficult time for the tech industry. More than 100,000 tech layoffs have reportedly taken place in 2026 so far, with many companies openly linking workforce reductions to AI adoption and restructuring efforts. For students and graduates looking at the market from the outside, the message can appear discouraging.
The fear is simple. If AI seems capable of writing code, handling support tasks, and automating workflows, many young people may begin questioning whether a future in technology is still secure.
The Growing Problem With Entry Level Jobs
One of the biggest worries highlighted by Upton involves the shrinking number of entry level positions. Traditionally, graduates and young professionals developed their skills through junior roles where they learned directly from experienced teams. Those positions often acted as the foundation for future engineers, developers, and technical leaders.
Now, many of those responsibilities are increasingly being handled by AI tools.
Tasks that once helped beginners gain practical experience are disappearing from hiring pipelines. Companies focused on productivity gains may save money in the short term, but the industry could face a major talent gap later if younger workers are unable to build real world expertise.
This creates a serious long term challenge for employers. Senior engineers eventually retire, switch companies, or move into leadership positions. Without enough trained replacements entering the workforce, businesses may struggle to maintain innovation and technical growth.
Upton warned that this cycle could become self sustaining. Fewer junior opportunities mean fewer experienced professionals in the future, making the shortage of skilled workers even worse over time.
Parents and Students Face Uncertainty
The uncertainty surrounding AI is also creating anxiety for families trying to make education decisions. Upton pointed to growing concerns among parents who are unsure which subjects children should focus on in preparation for an AI driven future.
Questions around GCSE choices, coding education, and STEM careers are becoming increasingly common, yet there are still few clear answers. According to Upton, there is not enough reliable data yet to make confident predictions about how AI will reshape employment over the next decade.
He argued that society is still in the early stages of understanding AI’s long term impact. While some experts believe automation will create entirely new industries and opportunities, others worry the transition period could leave many young workers behind.
For now, Upton’s view is cautious rather than dismissive. He is not arguing against AI itself. Instead, he believes industries and educators need to be realistic about both the strengths and limitations of the technology.
Why Engineering Skills Still Matter
Despite rapid advances in automation, the need for engineers remains strong across industries including software, manufacturing, robotics, cybersecurity, and infrastructure. AI systems themselves still require people to design, maintain, improve, and monitor them.
Upton stressed that economies cannot function without a reliable pipeline of technical talent. If fewer students choose engineering and computing careers because they believe AI will replace them, industries may face an even larger workforce crisis in the future.
The challenge for businesses and educators now is balancing AI adoption with human skill development. Automation may improve efficiency, but long term innovation still depends heavily on trained people capable of solving complex problems beyond what current AI systems can handle.
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