The Shift in Tech: Finding New Paths in an AI-Driven World
As artificial intelligence reshapes the modern workforce, particularly in the tech industry, many professionals are reevaluating their roles and long-term career paths. What was once viewed as a secure and thriving field is now grappling with widespread automation, job cuts, and significant changes in how work is accomplished.
A Personal Journey: Tabby Toney
One illustrative case is that of Tabby Toney, a former software engineer from Oklahoma. She left behind a successful tech career to pursue welding—a career shift motivated not by impulse, but by a clear understanding of the direction the industry is heading.
Toney’s entry into tech was unconventional. Following a friend’s lead, she started with manual software testing despite lacking formal experience. Her curiosity drove her to self-study, take virtual courses, and gradually transition into full-stack development.
Over the years, Toney worked as a contributor at several companies, including SumerSports, Clevyr, and Tailwind. She played a significant role in backend APIs, frontend features, quality assurance, and mentoring junior developers.
The Creativity and Problem-Solving Diminished
Throughout her journey, she came to appreciate the creativity and problem-solving challenges tech presented—until those aspects began to fade. By mid-2025, the excitement that once fueled her work had significantly diminished.
The Rise of Automation
As artificial intelligence began to automate many tasks she cherished most, Toney felt increasingly disconnected from her role. The automation of coding reduced her engagement and enthusiasm for her work.
Facing Layoffs
When she was laid off in May, she had been preparing for this outcome for some time. Rather than seeking another position in tech, she made a pivotal decision: to return to welding—a skill she first learned in high school and cherished from childhood memories spent in her grandfather’s garage.
Welding: A New Pursuit
Toney describes welding as offering the hands-on challenge and tangible outcomes that her work in tech had come to lack. She finds fulfillment in the physicality and creativity inherent in welding.
In August, she will begin formal training, with no plans to return to software engineering. This shift represents not only a new career path but also a reevaluation of work’s meaning in her life.
The Larger Shift in Technology
Toney’s decision occurs in the context of a broader trend reshaping the technology landscape. According to Bloomberg, approximately 35% of code for new software products is now generated by artificial intelligence.
Impact on Employment
This rise of automation has accelerated product development while simultaneously reducing the demand for many engineering roles. The result is a significant restructuring within the industry.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the tech sector led all industries in job cuts. Microsoft announced layoffs affecting nearly 4% of its workforce, following a prior reduction that eliminated around 6,000 jobs. This trend underscores a concerning reality for many tech professionals.
The Future of Work
As companies continue to invest in AI infrastructure and streamline human roles, more professionals will inevitably find themselves at crossroads similar to Toney’s. Her transition from software engineering to welding may seem unconventional but highlights a critical truth: as the nature of work evolves, so too must people’s choices in search of purpose and stability.
Conclusion
Toney’s journey reflects a growing sentiment among tech professionals. As automation reshapes job landscapes, exploring new opportunities can lead to unexpected paths that reignite passion and purpose. The decision to pivot may serve not only as a career change but as a testament to resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did Tabby Toney choose to leave the tech industry?
Tabby Toney chose to leave the tech industry due to the growing automation of coding tasks, which diminished her connection to her work. She sought a career that offered hands-on challenges and tangible results.
2. What factors contributed to Toney’s decision to pursue welding?
Toney’s decision to pursue welding stemmed from her childhood memories associated with the craft and a desire for a more creative, practical, and fulfilling career path.
3. How has artificial intelligence affected job roles in the tech industry?
Artificial intelligence is automating many coding tasks, leading to a reduction in engineering roles and job cuts across the tech sector, as seen in companies like Microsoft.
4. What trends are emerging in the technology workforce due to AI?
The emergence of AI in the tech workforce is leading to increased automation, restructuring, and a need for professionals to adapt or pivot to new career paths.
5. What can professionals in tech do to adapt to these changes?
Professionals in tech can evaluate their skill sets, consider further education or training in emerging fields, and remain open to exploring unconventional career paths that align with their interests and values.
