We then open the floor to student questions, covering a range of topics such as what incoming students can expect when entering Capstone in 2026, how AI is shaping the day-to-day work of software engineers, and how current students can best prepare for those changes.

At Launch School, our goal is to be transparent and provide students with the resources they need to succeed. Discussing the state of the job market and what it means for both enrolled and prospective students is an important part of that mission. We hope you find the discussion insightful and helpful.

Tune in for a discussion on:

• Moving from three Capstone cohorts per year to two
• New open source initiatives and internship opportunities to help grads build experience
• Strategies and logistics for managing a longer job hunt
• How the core curriculum has been evolving alongside Capstone over the years
• Chris’s perspective on the future of software engineering

In a rapidly changing market shaped by AI, we’re committed to transparency and to investing in students’ success and preparation for today’s industry. The future is full of opportunity. 🚀

First, we introduced the new LSBot feature, which provides code reviews for exercies to help fill in support gaps. Chris touches on interesting questions surrounding both LSBot and AI in general, like if LSBot is intended to replace human TAs.

Next, we talked about the shift away from written assessments. Instead, students will now complete quizzes and interview-style assessments, to better prepare for real-world interviews and to adapt to the rise of AI tools. This also brings up the discussion of how AI will change the culture around getting jobs as SWEs.

Finally, we explained the split of the JS230 course into two separate courses: one focused on DOM manipulation, and the other on asynchronous JavaScript. These two courses will make the material more approachable, and the assessment course, JS239, will cover content from both.

We also touched on the future — including the possibility of adding AI education like prompt engineering into the curriculum — and encouraged students to view AI as a positive learning tool rather than something to be skeptical of.