AI's Impact Shifts University Enrollment Away From Tech

Student choices in higher education are undergoing a significant transformation, with a noticeable decline in enrollment for certain science and technology fields. Conversely, there's a growing interest in social sciences, law, and education, driven by rapid changes in the job market and concerns about the future of high-tech employment. Nabil Armali, founder and editor of the "Wasla" website for economy and business, noted that a report published by his site observed these shifts in university majors. He explained that the new generation is closely monitoring the tech industry and the challenges faced by recent graduates, leading them to re-evaluate the expected economic returns from studying these fields.

The report indicated a decrease in engineering students for the 2025-2026 academic year, with numbers falling to approximately 37,595, representing 17.3% of all undergraduate students, down from 17.7% in the preceding two years. In contrast, social science enrollment rose by 3.3% to 37,711 students, surpassing engineering by 116 students. Armali stated on "Yom Jadid" radio that this trend follows years of institutions encouraging STEM fields to supply the high-tech sector. However, the landscape is changing due to the rise of artificial intelligence and labor market disruptions.

Computer science and related fields like mathematics and statistics have seen a 7.6% drop in student numbers this academic year, from about 22,200 to 20,500, following a 4% decrease the previous year. Armali believes this decline warrants attention, especially as it occurs early in the AI revolution, with the future relationship between academia and the job market still uncertain. He added that young people no longer view tech specializations as a guaranteed path to high-paying jobs.

Law enrollment, however, has increased by approximately 8.5%. Armali partially attributed this to the wider availability of colleges, diverse educational pathways allowing students to combine study and work, and less stringent admission requirements at some institutions compared to universities. He also pointed out that colleges offer more flexible evening programs, while universities remain more selective, particularly for majors like engineering, computer science, and law. The report focused on general trends rather than detailed comparisons between university and college students.

Meanwhile, medical school enrollment surged by 11% to 1,268 students, despite an ongoing shortage of doctors. Armali suggested this reflects a desire for more stable professions with consistent demand. Fields involving direct human interaction, such as medicine, nursing, and therapy, are gaining attention as students believe AI will not easily replace them, though it may alter their roles. Teaching also remains a viable option despite challenges in the education sector, with ongoing demand for educators and multiple institutions offering teacher training programs contributing to its appeal.