Back in November of 2022, ChatGPT dropped. It’s been roughly three years now.
Artificial intelligence had been around before then, but that moment put the tech in the palm of everyone’s hand, and artificial intelligence continues to evolve and reshape the way industries operate.
One of the industries most intimately tied to AI as it develops is the computer science industry, and at Red River College Polytechnic, Associate Dean of Creative Arts and Applied Computer Education Karen Kabel says that though the landscape is changing, that doesn’t mean opportunity is waning.
“In Manitoba, it is still a major issue of IT shortages and labour shortages across the province,” said Kabel, “Even with AI, the jobs are shifting more to different kinds of IT jobs.”
The change in the landscape
Kabel says that while global headlines often focus on tech layoffs, the local story looks very different. Manitoba, like much of Canada, continues to face a significant skills gap in IT.
“There was a shortage of [IT workers] in 2024 of like 24 to 34 percent,” she said, “And now what they’re showing for Manitoba and Canada is we’re up to as far as 78 percent shortage of IT roles. So, it’s increasing.”
She explained that AI has introduced new demands rather than replaced human work. For example, as cyberattacks become increasingly AI-driven, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals has grown dramatically.
“They’re needing more security people than ever before, and there [is] a huge shortage of security people around the world.”
Upskilling and adaptability
While some traditional roles have evolved, Kabel emphasized that the essential skills for success remain grounded in adaptability and continuous learning.
“People need to have the ability and flexibility to pivot and upskill to learn things that utilize AI,” she said, “The job is changing… and it’s happening not just in Manitoba, but around the world.”
She added that the role of human judgment and critical thinking remains vital.
Building smarter training
RRC Polytech has already adapted its programs to prepare students for this new landscape.
“In our program, we’ve now started teaching the students, for example, all the core things in the beginning, and then they start using AI gradually, but they’re learning the ethics and things behind it before they fully use it,” Kabel explained, “Because if you don’t understand it, how do you know it’s doing the job accurately?”
This includes courses on secure coding, threat modelling, cloud platforms, and governance. All areas that are increasingly critical as businesses adopt AI.
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‘Thinking outside the box’
For those feeling uncertain about entering the field, Kabel offers reassurance from the perspective of someone who once shared that skepticism.
“I spent 25 years in security, like information cybersecurity,” she said, “So if anybody was going to be a skeptic, it would be me… but AI is amazing. It helps you with creativity and innovation and thinking outside the box.”
She points out that virtually every sector, from healthcare to agriculture, now relies on technology and AI tools.
“Going into computer science, the possibilities are still endless,” Kabel said. “They just might be different, and you might specialize and learn other things that you wouldn’t have traditionally learned in the past.”
The safest bets in tech
When asked which areas offer the most stable future, Kabel didn’t hesitate.
“I would say cyber,” she said, “Because I know the demand’s going up… and also a program that teaches you data science and machine learning.”
She highlighted how these fields reach far beyond traditional IT, touching nearly every modern industry.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re in heating and cooling or electricity, everybody’s using AI and programming and IT services to run their systems,” she said.
And at the end of the day, Kabel reminds us:
“We’re still going to need people to run the tech,” she said, “It doesn’t run by itself.”