Lovable CEO Says CS Degree No Longer Essential for Tech Careers Amid AI Boom

Lovable CEO Anton Osika says a computer science degree is no longer the essential gateway to a tech career, though he doesn’t dismiss its value entirely. In an interview with Business Insider, Osika, 35, explained that while a CS degree still holds merit—especially for those pursuing deep technical work, systems design, or research—the landscape has shifted dramatically with the rise of AI. “I wouldn’t say it’s worthless, but I do think the leverage has moved,” Osika said. He emphasized that today, curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to quickly build and ship high-quality products often matter more than formal credentials. “For most people, a degree is no longer the entry ticket. You can build, ship, and even start companies without it.” Osika, who co-founded Lovable in 2023, leads a company that specializes in “vibe coding”—a platform that lets users create software with minimal programming knowledge using AI. The startup, which has 45 employees and is currently hiring for 16 open roles, exemplifies this new reality: tools now allow people to turn ideas into working products without years of formal training. In June, Business Insider reported that venture capital firm Accel was leading a funding round in Lovable that would value the company at $1.5 billion. Accel, known for early investments in Facebook and Slack, sees promise in Lovable’s vision of democratizing software creation. Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator, echoed this sentiment in an August post on X, noting that low-level programming tasks are already vanishing due to AI’s ability to handle repetitive work. “But at the same time, the very best programmers—those who can start their own companies—are being paid exceptional amounts,” he wrote. His advice? “The best general advice for protecting oneself from AI is to do something so well that you’re operating way above the level of scutwork.” Osika agrees. When hiring, he prioritizes learning speed and intellectual curiosity over current technical skills. “I care more about how fast someone learns and adapts than where they are today. If a conversation feels alive, if I walk away having learned something new, that’s a strong sign they’ll thrive in the team and push our ways of working forward.”