From Software Engineer to Welder: How AI is Changing Tech Careers

A software engineer, Tabby Toney, left her high-paying tech job to pursue welding after realizing that AI was taking over many of her tasks. She finds welding more hands-on and rewarding. The tech industry is facing widespread restructuring and job cuts due to automation, which may lead to more professionals reevaluating their careers. Toney's decision highlights the need for workers to adapt to changing industry trends.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has recently announced significant job cuts in its cloud division, with at least several hundred employees being laid off [1]. This move is part of a broader trend within the tech industry, driven by the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. The decision to streamline operations and reduce unnecessary layers of management has been echoed by other major tech companies such as Microsoft and Meta [1].

Tabby Toney, a former software engineer from Oklahoma, provides a poignant example of the impact of AI on the tech workforce. After being laid off in May 2025, Toney decided to pivot her career, choosing to pursue welding—a skill she first learned in high school [2]. The shift was driven by her realization that AI was automating many of the tasks she enjoyed in her software engineering role, leading to a loss of creativity and fulfillment.

Toney's decision highlights the broader restructuring happening within the tech industry. According to Business Insider, AI now generates approximately 35% of code for new software products, significantly reducing the need for many engineering roles [2]. The result has been widespread job cuts, with the tech sector leading all industries in layoffs during the January–March 2025 quarter [2].

Oracle, another major tech player, has also been investing heavily in AI infrastructure. The company plans to invest $3 billion over five years in cloud and AI capacity across Germany and the Netherlands, expanding its European footprint to meet rising demand for sovereign AI and data services [3]. This investment underscores the growing importance of AI in the global tech landscape.

As AI continues to reshape the tech industry, professionals like Toney will need to adapt and reevaluate their career paths. While the tech industry has traditionally been seen as a high-growth, secure sector, the increasing automation of tasks is forcing many to consider alternative careers or new skill sets. This shift is not limited to software engineers; it affects a wide range of roles within the tech sector.

In conclusion, the job cuts at AWS and the broader trend of AI-driven automation in the tech industry are signs of significant change. As AI continues to evolve, professionals will need to adapt, and companies will need to rethink their workforce strategies. The story of Tabby Toney serves as a reminder that the nature of work is changing, and so are the choices people make to find purpose and stability.

References:
[1] https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/amazon-aws-job-cuts-cloud-layoffs-ai-automation-tech-microsoft-news-125071701537_1.html
[2] https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/once-a-techie-now-a-welder-software-engineers-reason-for-career-reboot-can-be-reality-others-could-face-too/articleshow/122769534.cms
[3] https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250716/ai-infrastructure/oracle-ai-europe