AI could put people off tech jobs and hurt the economy, warns Raspberry Pi boss

Raspberry Pi founder Eben Upton has expressed concern that exaggerated claims about AI’s capabilities could deter people from entering tech careers, potentially worsening the UK’s engineering skills shortage. Speaking to the BBC’s *Big Boss Interview* podcast, Upton warned that overestimating AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude could distort career choices, undoing progress in encouraging young people into computing. He dismissed fears of mass job losses in tech, arguing that current predictions lack evidence and may be misused by companies cutting headcount after post-pandemic hiring booms. Upton emphasized that hype around AI replacing human roles could discourage students from studying programming, citing a lack of long-term data to guide decisions on education. He urged patience, suggesting that AI’s full impact on jobs remains unclear and that premature conclusions could harm economic growth by reducing the supply of engineers. Raspberry Pi’s devices, widely used for hobbyist programming, have played a key role in promoting computing skills, and Upton stressed the need to maintain momentum in tech education. While the UK has strong industrial capacity, Upton highlighted high energy costs as a major challenge for businesses, particularly compared to other G7 nations. He noted that energy expenses affect labor costs, making it harder to compete globally, though he acknowledged that the UK’s energy situation is less severe than in energy-intensive industries like fertilizers or oil refining. The company’s success, including its 2024 London Stock Exchange listing, reflects broader UK tech growth despite these hurdles. Upton’s warnings come as major tech firms like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have cited AI as a reason for recent layoffs, though some experts argue AI is being used as a convenient justification for workforce reductions. The Raspberry Pi founder cautioned against overreacting to short-term trends, urging a balanced approach to AI’s role in the workforce while investing in long-term solutions for skills development.