CODE Red — Why America Needs More Software Engineers, Not Fewer

Every week, new headlines proclaim that the era of the software engineer is ending. Generative AI, low-code platforms, and machine-assisted development are said to be replacing the need for human coders. The story is neat. But it’s wrong.

“You can’t outsource resilience. You can’t automate wisdom. You need people — engineers — who build with heart and skill.”

The truth is bolder and far more urgent: the United States is not facing a surplus of software engineers. We are on the cusp of a critical shortage — and with it, a massive threat to our national competitiveness, economic resilience, and technological leadership.