5 dead-end IT skills — and how to avoid becoming obsolete

A new area of digital transformation is under way in IT, say IT executives charged with unifying their tech strategy in 2025. Adopting emerging technology to deliver business value is a top priority for CIOs, according to a recent report from Deloitte. That means IT veterans are now expected to support their organization’s strategies to embrace artificial intelligence, advanced cybersecurity methods, and automation to get ahead and stay ahead in their careers.

But supporting a technology strategy that attempts to offset skills gaps by supplanting the need for those skills is also changing the fabric of IT careers — and the long-term prospects of those at risk of being automated out of work. To this end, we considered which skills could be rendered obsolete in the next few years, thanks to technical advances, and how IT pros can reinvent their skills offerings to avoid ending up with an IT career that’s not long for this world.

CIOs and other executives identified familiar IT roles that will need to evolve to stay relevant, including traditional software development, network and database management, and application testing. 

At the same time, leaders say the industry will need colleagues who can strategize, guide, and check AI-enhanced work, while keeping in mind the business goals of their organization. 

Here leaders offer insights on careers that need to adapt to survive and offer tips on how to move forward.

Entry-level software development

Knowing how to code is still a foundational skill, but basic programming will see less demand in the future, especially without developing complementary skills in areas such as project management or cybersecurity.  

AI will increasingly eliminate low-level software development jobs, and machine intelligence will become the default for writing most modular code along with documentation, says TransUnion CIO Munir Hafez.

And while AI is already developing code, it serves mostly as a productivity enhancer today, Hafez says. But that will change. 

“As technology rapidly evolves, the need for the number of developers will undoubtedly decrease, especially with entry-level roles over time,” Hafez says.

Andrea Malagodi, CIO at Sonar, predicts the current software development lifecycle will remain much the same, but the way it’s executed will soon change dramatically. 

“AI is impacting everything from writing requirements, acceptance definition, design and architecture, development, releasing, and securing,” Malagodi says. “Skilled professionals will aim to master the adoption of this technology to enhance their own productivity, which represents a form of career evolution.”

Hafez recommends connecting with mentors who are from a different team or division. An outside source is likely to provide a more unvarnished view on performance and career development, he says. 

“Mentors are crucial to your success,” he says. “Your mentor could be your manager, but it doesn’t need to be. Look for leaders you can connect with and invest in these relationships so you can build a mentor network. It’s better to focus on a small number of key mentors who want to pay it forward and derive personal satisfaction from advancing someone else’s career.”

Network management

Automation has reduced the need for some network management skills, says Sumit Johar, CIO at BlackLine.

“While foundational skills in areas like administration and basic systems management remain relevant, we’re seeing less need for those that can be easily automated, such as manual testing or routine configuration tasks,” Johar says. 

Vaclav Vincalek, CTO and founder at 555vCTO, points to Google’s use of software-defined networking to interconnect its global data centers. “Instead of managing each connection manually, SDN automates traffic routing to optimize bandwidth and efficiency.” 

“Many things which required manual setup are now automated to make the operations of the IT environment easier,” Vincalek says. “Maintaining network devices like routers, switches, and firewalls by hand are examples.”

And while IT veterans managing networks may see fewer opportunities ahead, Vincalek makes the point that the knowledge behind those skills is still necessary.

“IT skills will follow technology obsolescence, but the basics established decades ago will always be part of required knowledge for any IT professional,” he says.

James Lloyd-Townshend, chairman and CEO at tech talent agency Tenth Revolution Group, agrees network automation has limited the need for staff focused on configuration and monitoring.

“SDN continues to grow, so I’d recommend tech professionals in these types of roles upskill in areas like network function virtualization and centralized network management to keep up with current market demand.”

Manual security threat identification

Cybersecurity pros will continue see demand, says Chris Herbert, chief content officer at tech-based education company Pluralsight, but AI-driven cyberattacks will require some technologists in this area to upskill. And manual security threat detection skills will see less demand as a result.

“Advanced skills like threat intelligence and reverse engineering have been identified as the most valuable advanced cybersecurity skills of today,” Herbert says. “As a result, lesser-known cybersecurity roles are becoming more relevant. Roles like cybersecurity data scientists and exploit developers are becoming more mainstream and offer more opportunity for cybersecurity experts to refine their skills and stay relevant in the job market or in their current roles.”

Vincalek agrees manual detection is on the wane. “With AI or machine learning playing larger and larger roles in cybersecurity, manual threat detection is no longer a viable option due to the volume of data,” he says. 

Quality assurance and application testing

Application testing is a skill that’s likely to be augmented by AI if not replaced entirely, says Ram Palaniappan, CTO at TEKsystems. 

In software development today, automated testing is already well established and accelerating. But new opportunities in QA will appear focused on what to test and how, he says, along with the skills necessary to identify security risks and other issues with code that’s created by AI.

Jobs for experienced software test engineers won’t disappear overnight, but understanding what AI brings to the equation and making use of it could be key to stay relevant this area.

“In order to survive and extend their career — whatever the job role — humans should master the art of leveraging AI as an assistant and embrace it,” Palaniappan says. “I would say human plus AI is the best combination when compared to 100% AI or 100% human.”

TransUnion’s Hafez says bug detection and ticket logging are likely the first skills to go. “There is a need to focus on higher-level testing, such as human-centric design and usability.”

Database management

Tenth Revolution’s Lloyd-Townshend echoes the big-picture view taken by other IT experts: High-level thinking will remain in demand. For example, the Bureau of Labor statistics reports database management jobs will grow by 9% in the next decade. But in this area, as in others, these roles are evolving to increasingly rely on cloud-based tools and handing off routine and maintenance tasks to AI.

“With the growth of cloud-native and serverless databases, employers are now more interested in your understanding of database architecture and data governance in cloud environments,” Lloyd-Townshend says. “To keep moving in the right direction in your career, it’s important to develop adaptive problem-solving skills and not just rely solely on specific technical expertise.”

Hafez agrees activities around database management will be a casualty of technological evolution, especially ones focused on “repetitive activities such as backups, maintenance, and optimization.” 

“Database management, once core to tech careers, is being impacted as AI-driven database tools reduce the need for hands-on administration,” says Tim Peters, chief marketing officer at Enghouse Systems. He recommends upskilling in cloud management, cybersecurity, and hybrid IT operations.

One door closes …

Even as some jobs fall out of favor, new opportunities will emerge, says Agustín Huerta, senior vice president of digital innovation and vice president of technology IoT at Globant.

“For centuries, jobs and enterprises have evolved with technology, and preparing for change requires a forward-looking mindset that’s rooted in education, literacy, and the best way we can leverage new tech tools,” Huerta says. “While new technology is changing current roles faster than ever before, new jobs will pop up to adapt to the landscape.”

The ability to successfully grow a career is grounded in the ability to face new challenges and embrace new tools, says Lloyd-Townshend. Employers recognize this need to adapt, as their businesses need to evolve as well.  

“That’s why soft skills are such a vital part of your professional armory as you aim to add longevity to your career,” he says. “Coupled with a better understanding of business strategy and the part that digital infrastructure plays in it, and you’re better equipped to handle the shifts in the tech industry.”

Future-proofing an IT career

Talk to a manager about what options are available for training and what skills will offer the best chance of success within the organization, suggests Chris Campbell, CIO at DeVry University.

“If you are currently in one of the roles mentioned, work to enhance and develop your durable skills such as problem solving, communication, lifelong learning, collaboration, and critical thinking,” Campbell says. “Along the way learn and leverage tools that allow you to activate those skills in the pursuit of your work. These skills, along with the knowledge of how to use emerging technology, will empower you regardless of industry, role or company.”

Campbell suggests work in technology will involve virtual peers on a day-to-day basis sooner than some might expect.  

“That said, the intersection of humans and technology will remain a strong success factor for outcomes we are chasing,” he says. “This requires that we understand the important role humans continue to play and requires we understand what and how automated agents are creating the outcomes. People will remain the force multiplier for outcomes, leveraging existing and emerging technology.”

Sonar’s Malagodi says those who face diminishing returns in their current career should take time to reflect and examine what they’re uniquely able to offer an organization. By asking these questions, new opportunities may become clear.

“The most critical element is realizing that the industry is changing and taking a step back to see how you bring value,” Malagodi says. “Can you help improve productivity through automation or using AI? Is that perhaps a new branch in your career? Looking at how we can scale ourselves is an important question to contemplate, regardless of the technological shift, and seeking tools that can get you there is part of everyone’s career.”