Economic Equilibrium: The Case for State-Level Protection of Software Engineering Jobs and University Enrolments

Abstract

The rapid integration of Generative AI (GenAI) into the Software Development brings staggering productivity gains and cost efficiencies but creating a profound dichotomy between organizational success and professional risk. While AI automates core activities like requirements engineering, coding, and testing, it simultaneously threatens the job market for new graduates and the long-term viability of computing programs. To mitigate this, the paper proposes a proactive regulatory framework, including human labor quotas and "human-in-the-loop" mandates to balance industrial advancement with the preservation of the software engineering profession, ensuring that both human talent and artificial intelligence can coexist sustainably.