Everyone talks about how AI will dominate and take your job. Even Elon Musk said a few jobs will be optional in a few years. Does that mean AI will be doing most of your job, and you just need to sit and give commands to machines?
These questions have been bubbling in my mind, so I’ve tried to connect with fellow AI researchers and experts to get their opinions. You can find some of them here.
Will AI replace human coders?
I asked Ed Kim, VP of Education & Training at Code Ninjas.
Answer: No, AI won’t replace humans. Generative AI is driven using LLMs, or large-language models. It learns by combining the prompts and queries you enter with the information available from many sources, including the web. Generative AI can create base code with a simple prompt, but it still needs a software engineer or programmer to check that code, understand what needs to be modified, and then apply it to the right context and use in a program. AI frees the programmer from debugging and instead allows for a focus on creativity. It lets us reinvent a better wheel—a wheel that more people can access and benefit from. AI provides the starting point, but you are ultimately responsible for the final product. You use your critical thinking skills and creativity to apply the generated results in the way you want and need.
I asked Abdul Rehman Khairdi from SportsKeeda
Answer: AI, in the near future, will assist developers and coders in setting up new projects efficiently. However, working around and maintaining existing legacy codebases will remain challenging for AI. Human intervention will still be required to understand complex business logic and make critical design decisions.
I asked Shreyan Mehta from Asambhav Solutions
Answer: AI will automate a large portion of repetitive and boilerplate coding tasks, enabling developers to focus more on designing robust system architectures rather than writing every line of code manually.
Why is coding still a worthwhile skill to learn?
I asked Ed Kim, VP of Education & Training at Code Ninjas.
Answer: With that in mind, consider the benefits of learning how to code in our increasingly technological world. Instead of having to go through hours of courses to learn base code, we are free to be creative, to think critically, and to problem-solve. With easier access to generating starting code, the next generation of workers face lower barriers in learning how to use code to solve the problems of today and tomorrow. They can more freely collaborate, communicate, and create. The power of learning how to code is in the intangible skills of breaking down a problem piece by piece and approaching it in different ways to find a solution. Coding is one of the best mediums to combine problem-solving and technology. Teaching our children how to code ensures that they master these critical skills to become successful workers by being creative, modifying, and problem-solving. And thanks to AI, they won’t have to spend hours starting from scratch repeatedly or redoing work that’s already been done.
I asked Abdul Rehman Khairdi from SportsKeeda
Answer: Mastery of coding will continue to be essential, as humans will be needed to verify AI-generated code, ensure code quality, and handle situations where AI falls short. Deep understanding of programming helps maintain reliability and scalability in large systems.
I asked Shreyan Mehta from Asambhav Solutions
Answer: Fundamentals of coding will always remain crucial. Even with no-code or AI-assisted development, a solid grasp of programming principles helps in understanding system behavior and building better, more efficient products.
How will coding jobs change in the age of AI?
I asked Ed Kim, VP of Education & Training at Code Ninjas.
Answer: While coding jobs will be eliminated, they will evolve. Programming positions today require an intensive number of hours to learn and master the coding languages that a specific job requires (i.e. Python, C#, etc.). This requirement for highly specialized knowledge to be qualified for a job will go away as AI continues to improve. It will continue to be critical to learn how to code in the future, but the knowledge and training a programmer needs will shift to knowing how to leverage tools and AI-built programs, rather than the hundreds of hours needed to master a specific programming language. While there is a long pathway ahead for a generative AI tool to be 100% accurate and free of errors, there will be a time in the future when AI becomes the everyday tool to support our lives. Also, for every disruptive tool or invention, there are new jobs to improve and maintain such creations. In the programming world, there will always be a need for those who understand the code that drives the technology that we use.
I asked Abdul Rehman Khairdi from SportsKeeda
Answer: While the number of purely manual coding roles may reduce, new job roles and skill sets will emerge—focused on AI integration, prompt engineering, system validation, and architecture design.
I asked Shreyan Mehta from Asambhav Solutions
Answer: Software development processes will become up to 10x faster. Developers who adopt AI tools will enhance their productivity and move toward higher-level problem-solving rather than routine coding.
Anything to add/closing thoughts?
I asked Ed Kim, VP of Education & Training at Code Ninjas.
Answer: The rise of AI presents unparalleled opportunities to innovate and expand our technological capabilities. By integrating AI into our lives, we free ourselves from the constraints of specialized knowledge, allowing us to focus on creativity and problem-solving.
To fully leverage AI’s benefits, we must continue to teach our children the invaluable skills of coding. In doing so, we prepare them to thrive in a future where technology and creativity go hand in hand. Embrace AI and let us inspire the next generation to innovate and create like never before.
I asked Shreyan Mehta from Asambhav Solutions
Answer: AI is not here to take developers' jobs but to enhance their efficiency. Developers who embrace AI tools can achieve remarkable progress and deliver more impactful innovations.
