In the age of AI, is math the new CS degree?

In the era of artificial intelligence, the question arises whether mathematics will become the new computer science degree. Traditionally, computer science was considered a stable career choice, but the 2008 recession prompted many students to pursue this field due to its promising outlook. Between 2008 and 2024, computer science degrees saw a nearly 500% increase, making up almost 5% of early-career college graduates, according to The Washington Post.

However, the underemployment rate for computer science graduates is currently at 19%, and recent tech layoffs, such as those at Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, have further diminished the appeal of the field.

College students are responding to these changes, with enrollment in computer science programs decreasing by 8.4%, according to a survey from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. In response, universities like Carnegie Mellon, MIT, and Northwestern have introduced AI majors. MIT's Artificial Intelligence and Decision-Making major is now the second-largest at the institution.

Interestingly, mathematics degrees have been experiencing a resurgence, with enrollment increasing by almost 2% in 2024. Mathematics occupations are projected to grow by 28.7% between 2021 and 2031, driven by the demand for graduates in data analysis, finance, and technology, as reported by Research.com. High-paying roles for mathematicians are emerging across the tech and financial sectors, with AI putting a premium on skills like stochastic calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods.

Advanced mathematicians possess foundational knowledge of AI, can identify errors and biases, and can create new financial algorithms, making them crucial to leading quantitative firms, tech giants, and hedge funds.

Salaries for AI giants like OpenAI and Anthropic range from $180,000 to $2 million, and quant firms, which use advanced mathematical modeling for financial analysis and investment, are offering salaries ranging from $350,000 to $500,000 for new graduates. Quant VPs and directors have seen salary growth of 10% and 18%, respectively, compared to a 36.3% drop in tech analyst salaries.

While computer science degrees still hold value, adding coding skills to the mathematical expertise of computer scientists could make them highly valuable to quantitative firms. As AI models in these firms operate at the level of a median intern, there is still a need for human mathematicians to refine calculations and develop more granular financial models.

Computer scientists can collaborate with AI systems, training intelligence models and coding subagents to complete specific tasks. In this way, computer science graduates can leverage AI advancements and find a place in the growing field of quantitative mathematics.