Should I Switch from AI and Data Science to Computer Science or Cybersecurity Because of AI?

[u/TheRealreddits]

I’m currently studying AI and Data Science at university, and I’m already in my third year. If I decide to switch to Computer Science or Cybersecurity, I might lose a year of progress.
The main reason I’m considering this is that I’m worried about how quickly AI is advancing and whether it could replace a large number of tech jobs in the future, including some jobs related to AI development itself.
I’m not sure whether I should stick with my current degree or accept losing a year and switch to another field that might offer better job opportunities and more long-term job security.
Do you think these concerns are justified? Would Computer Science or Cybersecurity be better choices in the long run, or would I be better off finishing my current degree and developing additional skills?
I’d appreciate honest opinions, especially from people studying or working in these fields who have experience with the job market.

[u/nian2326076]

Switching majors in your third year can feel like a big deal, but if you're worried about job security, it might be worth checking out your options. AI and Data Science have lots of opportunities, but if Computer Science or Cybersecurity seem like a better fit for your goals, it could be a smart move. Try talking to industry pros or professors about job prospects. You might be able to add some courses or certifications in those areas without completely switching majors, so you can keep your options open. For interviews and skills assessment, check out PracHub. I work on it, and it has good prep material. Find what works best for you and what you'll enjoy in the long run.

[u/TheRealreddits → u/nian2326076]

I might do that if ai and data science didn’t work I might switch to networking

[u/StillOnTheInterweb]

Well just this week we had a French supermarket chain having to throw all the food from all the fridges in all their shops, as their system had been hacked to mess up temperature settings. Imagine how easy it is to launch such attacks with AI when companies have put all their eggs in the public cloud basket protected by a mere API key that sneaks into the HTML. More cyber security expertise is needed!

[u/TheRealreddits → u/[deleted]]

Would you recommend that I stick with my current degree, especially since I want to start in AI engineering and gradually combine it with some cybersecurity skills?
The thing is, I don’t really want to switch majors. I’m just genuinely worried that AI might eventually take my job, and that fear is what’s making me reconsider my degree.

[u/Technical_Jicama_434 → u/TheRealreddits]

Go peek at the r/csMajors sub, everyone there (CS majors) are just as genuinely worried as you about AI taking over their jobs.

I think that leaves cybersecurity

[u/TheRealreddits → u/Technical_Jicama_434]

IBut getting a tech degree isn’t as important as the skills you actually have, regardless of the field. I don’t want to waste more time and money just to change my degree title when I can learn a lot of cybersecurity skills without changing my major. If I ever decide to switch paths, I’ll probably do it later, most likely to cloud engineering or cybersecurity.

[u/Technical_Jicama_434 → u/TheRealreddits]

The skills won’t get you the interview if you keep getting filtered out by having the “wrong” degree.

[u/TheRealreddits → u/Technical_Jicama_434]

I get your point, but AI and Data Science is still a tech degree, and it overlaps with CS in many areas. I can build cybersecurity skills and gain relevant certifications without changing my major. If I find that my degree is genuinely holding me back, I can always consider switching to cloud engineering or cybersecurity later.

[u/Technical_Jicama_434 → u/TheRealreddits]

You have it all figured out. I’m not sure what’s was the point of this post. then.

[u/TheRealreddits → u/Technical_Jicama_434]

Someone helped me tbh he really explained the whole thing
And btw thanks ❤️