Alpha camp activities closed! AI has reshaped programming education, and “engineers who understand AI” are the trend in the digital age Business Next |

Alpha Camp and AppWorks School Adapt to AI Trends in Education

Alpha Camp, a prominent programming school, will stop operations in 2025. They aim to take a break from the market and explore new directions. The school boasts over 7,500 students and alumni who work at more than 100 major companies. Co-founder and CEO Chen Zhiping stated that the decision comes after deep consideration and is not due to external pressures. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the influence of AI technology, highlighting how it enables personalized learning for anyone, anytime.

AppWorks School is also evolving. It was established in 2016 as a free career transition program for engineers. The school receives thousands of applications yearly but accepts fewer than 10%. It has trained over 1,300 students who now work in more than 300 companies. In 2024, AppWorks School will launch Aiworks to focus on AI training and corporate services. Consequently, they will pause their Software Engineering Career Transfer class, adapting to the increased productivity brought by tools like Copilot.

Both Alpha Camp and AppWorks School have provided significant talent to the industry, though not every graduate stays in the field. These changes reflect a broader trend in the education sector driven by AI advances.

Employment data confirms a strong demand for software engineers, a role that has become increasingly important in the AI era. According to a 2024 survey by Stack Overflow, 37% of engineers now turn to AI for learning, a figure expected to rise.

The impact of AI is not limited to programming schools. Chegg, an education technology company, has seen its stock value plummet nearly 90% over the last year. With tools like ChatGPT offering free answers, students are less inclined to pay for Chegg’s services. The company has lost over 500,000 customers, leading to a significant drop in market value.

As institutions adapt, the critical question is not whether they will shut down but whether they will innovate to stay relevant. While AI has become a powerful learning tool, its limitations remain. Educational institutions must leverage AI’s potential while encouraging students to engage actively with their learning.

Future developments in education will depend on how well these institutions adapt and how students embrace new learning methods. Those who adapt to these changes will likely succeed in the evolving landscape of education.