AI Was Supposed to Replace Engineers But New Data Proves the Opposite
Despite widespread fears that artificial intelligence would eliminate programming careers, new data suggests software engineering remains the most resilient job function in tech. An extensive talent analysis by venture firm SignalFire reveals that while total hiring at major tech companies dropped 25 percent compared to 2019, engineering roles only declined by 11 percent. Furthermore, engineers accounted for a staggering 55 percent of all new hires at tech giants like Alphabet and Microsoft in 2025, up from 46 percent in 2019. Early stage startups also increased their engineering intake, recruiting 7 percent more technical talent than before the AI boom. Industry leaders note that AI coding assistants are fueling the Jevons paradox, where increased developer efficiency simply creates more work and drives up the overall demand for human engineers.