Estonian coding school founder: people who do not use AI are at a disadvantage
Taavi Kotka, founder of the Estonian IT school HK Unicorn Squad, says IT students now struggle to find jobs because AI handles entry-level tasks. He believes the situation is temporary and the industry will adapt within a couple of years.
Rapid progress in artificial intelligence (AI) is making it harder for IT students in Estonia to land jobs, because AI is taking over simple tasks that newcomers to the industry used to do. This was discussed on the programme "Otse uudistemajast" on Estonian public broadcaster ERR by Taavi Kotka, founder of the HK Unicorn Squad IT school, and Riika Seeba, a master's student in actuarial and financial mathematics at the University of Tartu.
Finding work is very hard
Kotka described the job prospects as almost impossible: without connections, he said, it is very hard to stand out among the many CVs sent in for open positions. He nevertheless considers the situation temporary. In his view, sectors that previously invested little in IT, such as agriculture, are increasingly turning to technology, because highly skilled specialists are available on the market at reasonable rates.
Kotka said entry-level tasks are now handled entirely by AI. He warned that if young people are not given experience, senior specialists will eventually run out. At the same time, young hires cost far less, and a capable student working alongside AI can be a very strong resource. The market, he said, needs time to adjust. He added that the basic knowledge and diploma from university do not make a student a finished IT professional: turning someone into a job-ready programmer usually takes three to nine months.
He also said IT students have been spoiled over the past 20 years. Demand was so high that people were hired before graduating, which is why IT has the lowest share of students finishing within the standard study period. Kotka expects the shock in the sector to take a couple of years to work through.
Students' experience
Seeba recalled that finding a good job meant seizing opportunities during studies and completing fairly extensive test assignments. Internships were generally available, she said, but young people were unsure where to invest their time. She said a university education shows employers that a person can learn and is motivated. She added that the current developments make young people anxious about their career prospects.
Kotka concluded that learning to use AI is now essential in almost every field. He expects some salary fluctuations, but cannot imagine a sector without AI, and those who do not know how to use it start at a competitive disadvantage.
