Tech Companies Are Laying Off Programmers and Freezing Hiring — Are We Really Watching the End of Programming as a Job?


In recent months, headlines have become grim for tech workers. From Silicon Valley to Bengaluru, thousands of engineers and programmers have faced layoffs, and many major tech companies have hit the brakes on hiring. For those building or aspiring toward a career in programming, it’s only natural to ask: Are we witnessing the end of programming as a viable job?

Let’s unpack the trends, separate myths from reality, and explore how one can stay relevant and resilient in this rapidly evolving landscape.

The Layoff Wave: What's Happening Globally?

Starting from late 2022, big tech has faced a significant market correction after the post-COVID hiring spree. This trend has continued into 2024 and 2025:

  • Global layoffs: Companies like Meta, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have gone through multiple rounds of layoffs since 2023. Even AI-focused companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have slowed hiring despite growing interest in generative AI.
  • VC pullback: Startups are facing funding droughts due to investor caution, resulting in conservative hiring or outright team reductions.
  • Automation and AI tools: Tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude are automating parts of the software development lifecycle. These tools aren't replacing programmers outright but are enabling teams to do more with fewer people.

The Indian Market: Cooling Off, Not Collapsing

India, home to one of the world’s largest tech workforces, is also feeling the chill.

  • Hiring slowdown: Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and other IT majors have reduced fresher hiring significantly in FY 2024-25. Many engineers from 2023 and 2024 batches are still awaiting onboarding.
  • Attrition is down: With limited job-hopping opportunities, many mid-career engineers are sticking with their current roles, reducing openings for new entrants.
  • Startups under stress: Indian startups, especially in edtech, fintech, and mobility, have seen rounds of layoffs or shutdowns amid reduced funding.
  • AI and upskilling gap: There's a growing demand for cloud, cybersecurity, and AI skills—but only a minority of tech professionals are equipped.

That said, Indian software exports remain strong, and niche roles are still in demand—especially in cloud, AI/ML, DevOps, cybersecurity, and platform engineering.

Is Programming Really Dying?

No, but it is evolving—fast.

Programming as a rote skill (e.g., just writing CRUD apps or following tutorials) is becoming obsolete. However, problem-solving, systems thinking, software architecture, and product-oriented engineering are more relevant than ever.

AI might automate code generation, but it still lacks contextual understanding, architectural thinking, and deep debugging capabilities. We’re not seeing the end of programming—we’re witnessing the end of programming without creativity or deeper domain insight.

How to Stay Ahead of the Curve

Here are actionable steps programmers and students can take:

1. Embrace AI, Don’t Fear It

  • Learn to use tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Amazon CodeWhisperer.
  • Treat AI like a productivity amplifier, not a threat.

2. Move Beyond Syntax

  • Focus on systems design, distributed architecture, and API integration.
  • Learn how large-scale systems (like Uber, Amazon, or Netflix) are designed.

3. Get Cloud-Native

  • AWS, Azure, and GCP skills are in high demand.
  • Master containerization (Docker), orchestration (Kubernetes), and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Pulumi).

4. Pick a Domain

  • Specialize in areas like:
    • Fintech
    • Healthcare tech
    • DevOps/SRE
    • AI/ML Engineering
    • Cybersecurity

5. Contribute to Open Source

  • Showcase your real-world skills and network with global engineers.

6. Build a Personal Brand

  • Share learnings, build side projects, or write technical blogs.
  • Recruiters are increasingly hiring through GitHub, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.

7. Prepare for Entrepreneurship

  • Freelancing and indie SaaS are booming.
  • Learn the basics of product development, customer acquisition, and marketing.

Final Thoughts: The Future Is Not Jobless, But Skill-Shifted

Programming jobs are not vanishing—they’re transforming. The entry barrier is higher, and the expectation from developers is no longer just to “write code” but to build value. Programmers who evolve into problem solvers, system designers, or domain experts will thrive.

We're not at the end of programming. We're at the end of mediocre programming. And that's a good thing—for those willing to grow.

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