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Murtaza Khan
Murtaza Khan

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I’m 18 and Terrified of AI Taking My Future Job—So I Made a Roadmap.

Hi everyone,

I am Muhammad Murtaza Khan, an 18-year-old from Pakistan currently in my second semester of a Bachelor’s in Computer Science at Habib University in Karachi. My objective is to become a top-tier AI engineer by 2029. At the moment, however, I feel somewhat lost—like a needle in a haystack. I am frequently overwhelmed by the influx of information regarding "vibe coding" tools and the concern that the latest models from NVIDIA may eventually displace my career prospects.
This pressure has made me realize that the stakes are higher than ever before. The tech market has undergone a significant evolution: it has shifted from a welcoming granny in 2019, who might offer a $100K+ job to anyone capable of writing "hello world," to a big bad wolf. If you are not at the forefront of the industry, you aren't just falling behind—you are at risk of being replaced by AI.

While this sense of hopelessness can be daunting, it has brought me to a crossroads. I can either complain about the ethical implications of AI or evolve into a version of myself that is simply too valuable to be turned down. Currently, I may not be the most technically sound in my field, but I am committed to ensuring there are no shortcomings on my end by the time I graduate in 2029. To succeed, I must stand out from the hundreds of other graduates entering the market with the same curriculum.

The Strategy

Instead of succumbing to "vibe coding," I have decided to master the fundamentals. I will write code manually, leveraging AI as a tutor rather than a coding intern, to accelerate my learning tenfold. My journey is divided into three phases:

  • Phase 1: The Basics – Drawing on my non-CS background, I will focus on Python, HTML, and CSS to gain the ability to ship full-stack applications.

  • Phase 2: System Design – I will investigate why certain algorithms and methods are better suited for specific situations. As I am studying Data structures and algorithms (DSA) this semester, I will also focus on web architecture, security, and building robust solutions.

  • Phase 3: Leveraging AI – Once I have mastered the fundamentals, I will utilize "vibe coding" tools to increase my productivity and share new tools and applications weekly on social media.

I will not let my skills stagnate; I will continue to use my own knowledge to bug-proof code and reinforce security. As Jensen Huang noted, "You're not going to lose your job to an AI, but you're going to lose your job to someone who uses AI". I intend to be the individual who utilizes AI more effectively than others to maintain my relevance.

Summary

This plan represents my current roadmap, and while it will evolve as I learn more, I am certain of the outcome I want to achieve. Big tech recruiters in 2029: please take note.

There is a popular saying: "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together". Many of us may feel lost and seek direction. While I cannot promise a perfect journey, I am confident in our shared ambition and discipline. I want us to build a community of the next wave of elite coders, designers, and engineers. We will not wait for AI to replace us; we will evolve and become the professionals who set the standard.

I look forward to our progress. See you in the next post regarding my first Python project.

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