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Ben Alima
ENC 1102
October 10, 2023
Research Dossier

Introduction:

In my quest to understand the transformative impact of increasing automation through Artificial

Intelligence (AI) on the demand for computer science professionals, my research journey is
driven by a rapidly evolving world where AI is becoming ubiquitous across industries. This
introduction serves as the springboard, providing the context and motivation for my research
project. I begin by contextualizing the research question within the broader framework of AI
automation and its effects on the computer science profession.

My progress in this research endeavor is the culmination of a meticulous and multidimensional

exploration of sources that inform my understanding of this complex issue. The sources I've
curated represent distinct facets of the BEAM method: Background, Evidence, Analysis, and
Methods. Each source plays a pivotal role in shaping my comprehension of the intricate
relationship between AI automation and the demand for computer science professionals.

First and foremost, I ground my investigation with sources that lay the foundation for my
research. Notably, "The Future of Jobs Report" from the World Economic Forum provides vital
background information, offering a panoramic view of current employment and automation
trends. Additionally, research papers such as "The Risk of Automation for Jobs in OECD
Countries" contribute empirical evidence and offer comparative analysis of automation risks,
enriching my background knowledge.

Moving forward, my journey takes me through sources that provide concrete evidence and
exhibits, substantiating the evolving landscape of computer science employment in the age of AI.
For instance, "The Second Machine Age" by Brynjolfsson and McAfee offers insightful analysis
and models for understanding the transformative effects of digital technologies. Furthermore, the
"AI in Education" source from EdSurge underscores the significance of AI integration in
education, a pertinent aspect of the future of computer science education.

While I've made substantial progress in my research, certain challenges and avenues for further
exploration persist. One such challenge is the need to gather primary data regarding the
experiences of computer science professionals who are navigating AI-driven changes in their
careers. As I forge ahead, my plan includes conducting surveys and interviews to gain a deeper
understanding of the human perspective on AI's impact on computer science careers.
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In the realm of AI automation and its impact on employment, it's important to acknowledge
differing perspectives. Some argue that the integration of AI may not necessarily result in a
reduced demand for computer science professionals. They posit that AI and automation can
augment the capabilities of these professionals, allowing them to focus on more complex and
strategic tasks while delegating routine work to machines.

In the pages that follow, you will find a comprehensive research dossier that encompasses not
only this introduction but also a revised research proposal and an annotated bibliography.
Together, these components constitute my research journey, one marked by continuous inquiry
and the pursuit of knowledge to unravel the intricacies of AI automation's influence on the
demand for computer science professionals.

Proposal:

Subject: Research Proposal: How will the increasing automation of tasks through AI
impact the demand for computer science professionals
Topic description: The research project explores the evolving role of computer science
professionals in the face of increasing automation driven by AI technology. This inquiry
will utilize concepts from literacy practices and rhetoric to understand the discourse
surrounding this issue.
Documentation Style: APA style will be used for this research proposal. The choice of
APA aligns with my major of Computer Science, as it is the preferred documentation
guide for research in this field.
Purpose: This research topic is particularly significant to me as a Computer Science
major. Understanding the impact of AI automation on computer science jobs is not only
academically relevant but also personally vital as it directly relates to my future career
prospects. This research aims to investigate the evolving job landscape within the realm
of Computer Science, shedding light on the skills and adaptability required to excel in
this dynamic field, which is increasingly influenced by AI technology. By delving into this
topic, I aim to gain insights that will not only benefit my academic pursuits but also
provide valuable perspectives for fellow Computer Science students and professionals
navigating the changing technological landscape.
Intended audience: The information that I will be presenting will be most relevant and
useful to any other students within the same major as me. AI possibly impacts
Computer Science majors more than any other, thus making it both exciting and
worrisome. However, I think that with such rapid advancements in AI, students of other
majors may be impacted as well, making it relevant to them too.
Research Question / Preliminary Thesis / Argument:
"Analyzing the Impact of AI on Job Specializations Within the Computer Science Field
and Identifying Key Complementary Skills in Demand."
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Types of research areas: This research project will incorporate evidence from all three
areas of inquiry: scholarly, internet, and field research. Scholarly sources will provide a
foundation of academic perspectives, while internet sources will capture current
discussions and public viewpoints. Field research may include interviews with
professionals in the computer science field to gather firsthand insights into the evolving
job landscape.
Key Words: Artificial Intelligence, Jobs, Computer Science, Software Development, Job
Security
Annotated Bibliography:

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Computer and Information Technology Occupations.

U.S. Department of Labor.

● Summary: This government source provides comprehensive data on computer science

and information technology occupations, serving as a valuable background resource.
● Evaluation: The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a reputable authority on labor market data,
ensuring the credibility of the information presented.

2. Frey, C. B., & Osborne, M. A. (2017). The Future of Employment: How Susceptible Are
Jobs to Computerization? Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 114, 254-280.

● Summary: This seminal study assesses the susceptibility of various jobs, including
computer science, to computerization and automation.
● Evaluation: Published in a respected journal, this research offers valuable evidence and
analysis related to the impact of automation on employment.

3. Arntz, M., Gregory, T., & Zierahn, U. (2016). The Risk of Automation for Jobs in OECD
Countries: A Comparative Analysis. OECD Social, Employment, and Migration Working
Papers, No. 189. OECD Publishing.

● Summary: This OECD analysis compares the risk of automation across different
countries and industries, including computer science roles.
● Evaluation: As an OECD publication, this research is credible and provides a
comparative perspective on the subject.

4. Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and
Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W.W. Norton & Company.

● Summary: This book explores the broader societal impacts of technological

advancements, including the effects on computer science professions.
● Evaluation: Written by reputable authors, this book offers in-depth analysis and models
for understanding the technological transformations shaping the job market.
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5. Chui, M., Manyika, J., & Miremadi, M. (2016). Where machines could replace humans
—and where they can’t (yet). McKinsey Quarterly.

● Summary: This McKinsey analysis identifies tasks susceptible to automation and

discusses the limitations, pertinent to computer science roles.
● Evaluation: McKinsey is a renowned consultancy, lending credibility to its findings
regarding automation trends.

6. World Economic Forum. (2020). The Future of Jobs Report 2020.

● Summary: This comprehensive report discusses future job trends, including those in the
computer science field, amid AI adoption.
● Evaluation: Published by the World Economic Forum, this report is a reputable source
for insights into the evolving job landscape.

7. Bessen, J. E. (2018). AI and Jobs: The Role of Demand. NBER Working Paper No.
24235. National Bureau of Economic Research.

● Summary: This research paper examines the role of demand in the context of AI's
impact on employment, including computer science occupations.
● Evaluation: Published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, this paper
provides a scholarly perspective on AI's effect on jobs.

8. Aron-Dine, A. (2018). AI and the Economy: What Does Recent Research Tell Us?
Hamilton Project, Brookings Institution.

● Summary: This report summarizes recent research on AI's economic impact, with a
focus on insights relevant to computer science professionals.
● Evaluation: Produced by the Brookings Institution, this report offers valuable insights
into the economic aspects of AI.

9. Autor, D. H., & Salomons, A. (2018). Is Automation Labor-Displacing? Productivity

Growth, Employment, and the Labor Share. Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, 1-87.

● Summary: This scholarly paper discusses the relationship between automation,

productivity, and employment, with relevance to computer science occupations.
● Evaluation: Published in a respected journal, this research paper provides a detailed
analysis of automation's impact on labor.

10. Beede, D. N., et al. (2020). The U.S. Artificial Intelligence Workforce: Understanding
the Supply of AI Talent. National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department
of Commerce.
● Summary: This government report explores the supply of AI talent and its implications
for the computer science workforce.
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● Evaluation: Published by a government agency, this report offers valuable insights into
the AI workforce supply and demand.

11. Chui, M., et al. (2018). AI in the Age of Algorithms: Harnessing AI's Potential.
McKinsey Global Institute.
● Summary: This McKinsey report explores AI's potential and its impact on various
industries, including computer science.
● Evaluation: Produced by McKinsey Global Institute, this report provides strategic
insights into AI's transformative potential.

12. Krizhevsky, A., Sutskever, I., & Hinton, G. E. (2012). ImageNet Classification with
Deep Convolutional Neural Networks. Advances in Neural Information Processing
Systems, 25, 1097-1105.
● Summary: A seminal paper in deep learning, demonstrating the significance of AI
advances in computer vision.
● Evaluation: Published in a respected conference proceedings, this paper is foundational
in the field of computer vision.

13. Goodfellow, I., et al. (2014). Generative Adversarial Nets. Advances in Neural
Information Processing Systems, 27, 2672-2680.
● Summary: This foundational paper introduces generative adversarial networks (GANs),
with implications for AI's creative potential.
● Evaluation: Published in a leading conference proceedings, this work is highly
influential in AI research.

14. Arulkumaran, K., et al. (2017). A Brief Survey of Deep Reinforcement Learning. arXiv
preprint arXiv:1708.05866.
● Summary: A survey paper summarizing the state of deep reinforcement learning, a
critical AI area relevant to automation.
● Evaluation: Published on arXiv, this source provides an overview of key developments
in deep reinforcement learning.

15. Silver, D., et al. (2017). Mastering Chess and Shogi by Self-Play with a General
Reinforcement Learning Algorithm. Nature, 550(7676), 354-359.
● Summary: A groundbreaking study on AI's ability to master complex games,
demonstrating its adaptability.
● Evaluation: Published in the journal Nature, this research showcases the capabilities of
AI in strategic decision-making.