AI is creating a lot of disruption in many careers. Folks are concerned that their roles will no longer be needed soon. So do folks need to fret over a potential existential crisis?
According to our in-house software engineering expert, Dr. Mohammed Samarah, human professionals are needed more than ever to continue leading humanity forward.
In this Q&A, Dr. Mohammad Samarah, Graduate Program Director for UMBC’s Master’s in Software Engineering, shares insights. He talks about the evolving role of software engineers in the age of AI. In this candid podcast interview, he offers a clear picture of why this field remains both critical and future-forward.
Listen to the podcast on YouTube
Dennise Cardona, ’23, M.A., UMBC Mic’d Up Podcast Host
Q: Why should a professional consider software engineering as a career choice?
Dr. Samarah
Software is now no longer something on your computer that has entered into everyday objects. So we have the opportunity now to change the world in a meaningful way using software.
In addition to that, we have a lot of advances in AI and generative AI tools that is fueling the need for more and more professionals who have advanced skills in software engineering. These generative AI tools are built by advanced software engineers.
And so because of those two aspects, we need now more and more people to be armed with the skills, the tools, the knowledge to take us further and make sure that our future is humans within AI and we are in control of our destiny.
Q: What do graduates of our software engineering program do in the field after they graduate?
Dr. Samarah
Our graduates hit the ground running, but they’re not going into entry level positions. They’re going for advanced positions.
I’ll give you some examples of recent graduates. One of our graduates went on to become an AI machine learning engineer, building AI tools and AI augmented devices.
Another went on to become a software architect. The world is in dire need of software architects. Those are engineers who understand the big picture, but they’re also able to navigate into the small details. They bridge the gap between what’s needed and how to get it done. In other words, the business or user needs and the technical needs.
A third engineer went on to become a team lead. So these are the type of roles that we expect you to get. AI, machine learning software, architecture team lead, a group manager or a software engineering manager.
We give you the advanced skills to hit the ground running. Every course we teach you is an applied course. That connects every chapter to every section to what it means to do it in the real world.
Q: Some job reports indicate slower growth in certain entry-level tech roles. Can you speak to that?
Dr. Samarah
Our program is readying students to become advanced professionals. AI and AI generative tools are going to affect mundane tasks, low level things, and simple coding tasks.
AI tools today, tomorrow, ten years, 20 years from now will not generate and create a system, nor will it create an AI tool itself. So not only do we need more advanced software engineers, but now it’s very critical because some of the code generated by AI tools, we may be able to use portions of it, small parts.
We still need advanced engineers to look overhead, to supervise it, to ensure it’s correct and safe and meaningful that it fits within the system that is intended for.
Q: How does artificial intelligence, generative AI, affect a career in software engineering?
Dr. Samarah
Software Engineering is a field that’s been around since the 50s, and now we have so many advances. And it’s also in the forefront in public with these generative AI tools.
So being an advanced software engineer is going to give you the skills and the knowledge to understand that AI is a sub-field of computer science, and that machine learning is a sub-field of AI and give you the ability to co-create applications and devices and system with AI or generative AI.
But at the center of it, you’re going to put the human needs, the user needs and meaning to serve humanity, to serve you, to serve your family and serve your organization. So because the AI generative tools do not have this ability to look at what is needed – it has no spirit, has no human-like emotions or behavior – we need advanced software engineers at the center of it. To build with it, co-create with it, to guide it, to supervise it, to tell when it’s creating something that’s worthy and tell when it’s creating something that’s complete rubbish and garbage.
Q: Anything else that you want to add?
Dr. Samarah
You know, there are many theories about what AI generative tools and AI tools and robotics will do for us or against us. The truth of the matter is, if we were to predict what’s going to happen, we have seen this story unfold before.
The more automation we create, the more the human is needed, the more the human skills needs to be elevated and advanced. So the future is bright. It’s going to be humans with AI, humans guiding and controlling and managing your inputs and putting it in its own box and place as a tool to create meaning.
Are you ready to create meaning in the field of software engineering?
The world needs leaders who can innovate, build intelligent systems, and stay ahead of AI-driven change. UMBC’s Software Engineering program offers the real-world skills and advanced training you need.
As Dr. Samarah reminds us, the future isn’t AI versus humans—it’s humans working with AI to create meaningful impact. Learn more about how you can be part of that future by exploring the program today.