Software Engineer Loses Six-Figure Job to AI, Faces 800 Rejections in grueling Job Search

Shawn K, a 42-year-old software engineer with two decades of experience, has found himself sidelined by artificial intelligence (AI). Once earning a comfortable $150,000 annually at a metaverse-focused company, Shawn now lives in an RV trailer in rural Central New York, scraping by as a DoorDash driver after being rejected from over 800 job applications. His story, detailed in recent reports, underscores the growing challenges faced by skilled professionals in an AI-dominated job market.

Shawn’s troubles began in April 2024, when his employer pivoted toward AI, rendering his role obsolete. “I’ve been through the downturns of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic and bounced back each time,” he told Yahoo Finance. “But this time was different.” Despite his computer science degree and extensive expertise, Shawn has landed fewer than 10 interviews from over 800 applications, some of which were screened by AI algorithms. He described the process as “exhausting and demoralizing,” noting that he’s often more skilled than those interviewing him but suspects ageism and cost-cutting measures play a role.

The broader tech landscape offers little reassurance. According to Layoffs.fyi, over 150,000 tech workers lost their jobs in 2024, with an additional 60,000 layoffs in 2025 so far. Companies, eager to boost efficiency, are increasingly relying on AI tools and outsourcing to lower-wage developers abroad. A 2023 survey cited by Indian Defence Review found that 59% of engineers reported frequent errors in AI-assisted code, yet the push for cost reduction often outweighs such concerns.

Shawn’s job search has forced him to lower his expectations dramatically. Initially targeting engineering manager roles, he later applied for positions at his previous level, then at lower pay, and eventually “anything and everything I was capable of,” including a WordPress theme developer role offering less than half his former salary. He even considered retraining for roles like crane operator or drone surveyor but lacked the funds for certification programs. “I check my emails one last time for the night: no responses from the 745th through 756th job applications,” he wrote on his Substack, capturing the despair of his daily grind.

Industry observers point to a chaotic job market exacerbated by AI. Futurism reported that the influx of AI-generated resumes has made it harder for human applicants to stand out, while companies use AI to filter candidates, often prioritizing cost over experience. “AI isn’t simply taking over—it’s enabling tech corporations to outsource high-paying jobs to low-wage workers in the global south,” the outlet noted. Meanwhile, Fortune highlighted that tech leaders at companies like Anthropic and Meta warn AI could further disrupt software development, though the scale and timing remain debated.

Shawn’s plight is not isolated. LinkedIn data shows a 26% drop in engineering roles, part of a broader “white-collar recession” affecting high-paying tech jobs. Yet, some find opportunity amid the disruption. A Business Insider report detailed how another engineer used AI tools like ChatGPT to optimize his resume, landing a six-figure tech role after 120 applications. For Shawn, however, such success remains elusive.

As AI continues to reshape the tech industry, Shawn’s story serves as a sobering reminder of its human toll. Living in an RV and earning less than $200 a day through gig work, he remains determined but uncertain about his future. “AI obsolescence is coming for basically everyone in due time,” he told Indian Defence Review, a sentiment that resonates as the industry races toward an automated horizon.

17GEN4.com

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