Eben Upton, the founder of Raspberry Pi, has voiced significant concerns regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of the technology workforce. Speaking on the BBC's Big Boss Interview podcast, Upton warned that the increasing reliance on AI could discourage young individuals from pursuing careers in tech, potentially leading to a deeper skills shortage in the industry. He noted that tech layoffs have surpassed 100,000 in 2026, with many attributed to companies integrating AI into their operations. Upton criticized the overhyping of AI capabilities, suggesting that it might undermine efforts to engage youth in computing, which has been a core mission of Raspberry Pi since its founding in 2012. The shift of entry-level tasks to AI tools creates a cycle that diminishes the pool of talent available to fill senior positions as the current workforce retires or transitions to other roles. Upton also expressed concern for parents navigating educational decisions for their children in this evolving landscape, stating that there is insufficient data to provide sound guidance. He concluded with a stark reminder of the economic consequences, asserting, 'Absolutely. We need a supply of engineers.'