Hi! The rise of AI-powered coding tools has sparked a debate on whether AI will replace human programmers. I want to discuss the current state of AI and demystify this topic, hoping to motivate people to be empowered by AI instead of fearing it. My recent experience with AI in my coding projects inspires this article and several online discussions I have digested.

In today’s rundown:

• Targeted Audience: Computer Science students and enthusiasts, software engineers.

• The answer to “Will and can AI replace all coders?”.

Read time: 6 minutes

The Current AI Landscape

Asked at the recent World Government Summit in Dubai what people should focus on when it comes to education, what they should learn, and how they should educate their kids and their societies, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made a counterintuitive break from tech CEOs advising youngsters to learn how to code. Huang argued that programming is no longer a vital skill even at this early stage of the AI revolution. With coding taken care of by AI, Huang suggested humans can instead focus on more valuable expertise like biology, education, manufacturing, or farming. This is his speech.

CEO Jensen is not the only world leader advocating for the future of no coders. At the Abundance Summit last year, Emad Mostaque, the CEO of Stability AI, stated that within 5 years, there will be no more human coding. This raises the question of whether we should accept this as a reality and advise the new generations that coding is no longer a viable career option. This also brings up confusion and concerns for current junior developers on whether they will have a chance to embark on this industry or whether AI will replace them when they enter the workforce.

More recently, another pioneering technologist - John Carmack - agrees with Jensen Huang’s statement. Carmack served as consulting chief technology officer for Meta's virtual reality initiatives since 2019, when he transitioned from a full-time into a "consulting" role. He initially joined VR headset creator Oculus in 2013, and the company was acquired by Facebook, now known as Meta, in 2014. Here are his words on the current development of AI in the coding space.

"Coding was never the source of value, and people shouldn’t get overly attached to it. Problem solving is the core skill. The discipline and precision demanded by traditional programming will remain valuable transferable attributes, but they won’t be a barrier to entry.

Many times over the years, I have thought about a great programmer I knew that loved assembly language to the point of not wanting to move to C. I have to fight some similar feelings of my own around using existing massive codebases and inefficient languages, but I push through.

I had somewhat resigned myself to the fact that I might be missing out on the “final abstraction,” where you realize that managing people is more powerful than any personal tool. I just don’t like it, and I can live with the limitations that puts on me.” - John Carmack.

View his original tweet here.

Are these world leaders correct? Let’s review the evidence and milestones of the developments of AI in code. There is strong evidence to suggest that artificial intelligence has already exceeded the capability of human coders in some areas.

1. In early 2023, OpenAI's ChatGPT passed the high-level software developer exam conducted by Google.

2. Later in the same year, GitHub reported that 46% of code across all programming languages was built using Copilot, the company's AI-powered developer tool.

3. In its debut, DeepMind's AlphaCode outperformed human programmers by beating 45% of expert programmers when pitted against over 5,000 human participants.

Given that all these developments occurred within the first year of ChatGPT's release, it is reasonable to assume that further technological advancements will occur over the next two or three years. Will AI eventually eliminate the need for human programmers altogether later in this decade?

Is AI removing coding or removing the barrier to coding?

AI-powered coding is becoming more accessible to everyone. In the future, people who can express their thoughts in natural language can use AI to convert their ideas into code. As per Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA, during a 2023 earnings call, this will democratize computer programming for everyone who can explain a particular task in human language. This means anyone, including doctors, lawyers, or even kids, can learn to code. By removing the barriers that once hindered creativity, this approach enables anyone to create systems that can solve problems and generate value for society.

This revolution is made possible by "no-code" and "low-code" platforms that empower individuals with little to no programming knowledge to develop applications quickly and cost-effectively. No-code platforms have a user-friendly interface that enables business employees to develop applications rapidly, bridging the gap between business requirements and software solutions. In contrast, low-code platforms require a rudimentary understanding of coding and offer more customization and integration capabilities, making them ideal for IT professionals handling complex tasks. This approach is particularly useful for citizen developers looking to create functional applications for back-office, web, and business automation functions.

However, is it still necessary to learn how to code in this new environment? While some may say "No," Steve Brown, the Chief AI Officer, has a different opinion. He believes coding is not about a particular computer language or writing programs. It is about cultivating a mindset of computational thinking that enhances your ability to break down complex problems into manageable components, devise logical solutions, and think critically. This skill will become increasingly important as AI continues to evolve.

What does AI impact mean for coding?

While it is true that AI-enabled machines can speak English, learning the native language of AI will give you an edge if you want to collaborate with AI and harness its power. It is how you can transition from being a "naive end-user" to an actual creative partner, problem solver, and critical thinker. The best coders will become hybrids: humans working with and amplified by AIs. AI tools like Replit and Github's Copilot are helping developers automate redundant workflows, learn faster, work more efficiently, and scale their productivity. For example, Microsoft researchers found that software developers using AI assistants completed tasks 55% faster than those without AI assistants. An MIT study also showed that the top 5% of programmers performed orders of magnitude better while partnering with AI.

Regarding the statements from Jensen, it is a no-brainer that the leading chips company at the forefront of AI evolution will hype up the results and capabilities of AI. As my discussion has pointed out, I’m not saying there’s no basis for his claim or that AI will never become as good as an average human coder. Coding is not the core of being a programmer; problem-solving is, and anyone who can solve problems will never be replaced.

Let me know what other tool you want to be reviewed 🧑‍💻 at [email protected]

That’s a wrap! 🌯

To close this article, a simple sentence is sufficient. AI cannot replace coders, but a coder assisted with AI can replace anyone.

Thank you for reading ❤️I hope you will find these insights useful. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have suggestions, feedback, or anything!