High school students are ditching coding courses for data and AI skills. While computer science degree completions in the U.S. and Canada fell 5.5% between 2023–2024, exam registrations for AP Statistics hit 264K in 2024, making it one of the most-requested AP tests. Educators are seeing “a move from taking as much computer science as you can to now as many statistics courses” because students see AI making pure coding skills less valuable going into college. Instead, they’re gravitating towards other STEM fields like biostatistics that blend computing with analysis and interpretation—the human skills AI still struggles with. Researchers note “the real skill is integrating AI with your own discipline” now. It’s a seismic shift in how Gen Z views career preparation: rather than learning to build the tools like students have been betting on, they’re positioning themselves as AI’s collaborators, not competition. (WIRED)
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