Are computer science degrees worth it in 2026?

People are saying that a computer science degree is dead because of AI. That's absolutely mind-boggling to me. As someone who holds a degree in computer science, something that you have to understand is that computer science degree is not a software engineering degree. Yes, traditionally speaking, computer science degrees do lead to a software engineering career path. I didn't take the software engineering career path. I took the cybersecurity career path. I actually took the least technical cybersecurity career path, which is governance, risk, and compliance. I have regular conversations with computer science professors, department heads, things of that nature. And if you guys think that they're just going to sit there and like not evolve their curriculum to fit the necessities of today's world, it's like what do you think is actually going on? Learning how to code is cool, but the biggest benefit that you get out of a computer science degree is going through formal learning to teach you how to become a systems thinker. It teaches you how to think in a very systematic and algorithmic sort of way. And what that means in the AI world is sure, the AI is going to be able to build software. But there is a layer above the AI noise that cannot be automated. And this is the architect layer, okay? The architect layer is the person who has the skills to think like a software engineer, operate a project like a project manager, navigate the complexities and the politics of corporate like a GRC analyst, articulate the value of something like a consultant, and deliver a product like a product manager. And outside of navigating corporate politics, I think that you learn at least some of all of these things in a computer science degree. And the department heads of computer science degrees understand this. Now, with regard to university or the concept of university in general, yes, I do believe that the value of a degree is plummeting. I do believe that the value of a degree in general is not as valuable as it was just two, three years ago. But I think that making the case that a computer science degree is obsolete because of AI, I think that's a very far stretch.