He has some interest in learning for example to make game ideas, but overall the goal is building a new career. (He's in his early 30s.)

It seems like there is some consensus that with AI the industry is already rapidly changing, and I've heard it being compared to 'junior level developers' already in its capabilities. There's talk of the ladder being pulled up in the industry for entry level positions.

No matter what, it seems like it will at least be much harder to break into the industry in the next 5 years vs. just a decade ago. Is it still good career advice for someone to learn programming and CS? I'm curious if anyone here has an angle to still feel optimistic about this.

(He has a neuroscience degree from college, and is considering therapy as an alternative path. That would take more school and work to become licensed, but I am starting to wonder if it could be a better bet for the next 10-20 years.)