AI Disrupts Coding Bootcamps and Entry-Level Tech Jobs

• As AI automates basic coding tasks, coding bootcamps face declining enrollment and graduates struggle to find entry-level software jobs.

Bootcamp Graduates Face a Shifting Landscape

For over a decade, coding bootcamps offered a fast-track into software engineering, particularly for those without traditional degrees. Jonathan Kim, a recent graduate, exemplifies the growing struggle: after applying to over 600 jobs, he received only six responses and no offers. His experience reflects a broader trend, as AI tools increasingly handle tasks once performed by junior developers. Bootcamps, once a reliable gateway to tech careers, are now grappling with reduced relevance in a rapidly evolving job market.

Kim’s decision to enroll in a $20,000 bootcamp coincided with the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. By the time he graduated in 2024, AI had begun reshaping the software development industry, automating many of the roles bootcamps traditionally prepared students for. The shift has been described as one of the fastest job disruptions in modern history. Entry-level coding positions, once abundant, are now scarce as companies adopt AI-driven workflows.

Industry Decline and Changing Employer Expectations

Bootcamp operators and investors acknowledge the challenges posed by AI and other market forces. Allison Baum Gates, a venture capitalist and early employee at General Assembly, noted that bootcamps were already in decline due to saturation and shifting hiring practices. Codesmith, the bootcamp Kim attended, reported that only 37% of its 2023 part-time graduates secured full-time technical roles within six months, down from 83% in 2021. The company continues to offer lifetime hiring support, but acknowledges the difficulty of today’s job market.

Employers now prioritize candidates with specialized skills in AI and machine learning over generalist coding abilities. Bootcamps, originally designed to democratize access to tech jobs, are struggling to adapt to these new demands. Diversity-focused programs like Hackbright once thrived under inclusive hiring initiatives, but such priorities have faded. The result is a return to traditional recruitment pipelines, with top firms favoring graduates from elite universities.

AI’s Role in Reshaping Tech Careers

Generative AI excels at coding because of its binary nature—code either works or it doesn’t—making it ideal for machine learning. Tools like Cursor and GitHub Copilot have streamlined development, reducing the need for junior engineers. Venture firm Signalfire reported a 50% drop in new graduate hiring since 2019, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicts that AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within five years. Bootcamps, once seen as disruptors, now face disruption themselves.

Some bootcamp providers are pivoting to meet the moment. Codesmith founder Will Sentence is introducing an AI technical leadership program aimed at mid-career professionals. However, for graduates like Kim, these changes offer little immediate relief. He continues working at his uncle’s ice cream shop while expanding his job search beyond software engineering. The optimism that once surrounded bootcamp pathways has given way to uncertainty.