AI and the Future of Programming: A Developer’s Perspective
I just got out of the Xtremepython Conference (virtually), where I was part of a panel discussing “The AI Revolution in Coding: Tools, Trends, and Tomorrow.” I wanted to jot down some of my thoughts — kind of like a personal diary entry — so I can look back in ten years and see how things have changed.
AI is changing how we code and think about coding.
First, AI helps automate boring tasks, like updating code. But can we fully trust AI-generated code? That’s still a question. AI isn’t good at complex problem-solving yet. It’s not taking over right now.
Future skills will be more than just coding. Asking good questions, giving useful prompts, and knowing your area well will be key. Instead of just “writing code,” we might focus more on keeping it running because of AI. High-skill jobs like debugging and fixing tricky issues will still need people. Creativity, problem-solving, and understanding what users need are things AI can’t do.
AI will handle boring tasks over time. It might even come up with complex answers, but humans will still improve and fix these. As AI tools like Cursor.AI, GitHub Spark, and Bolt.new get better, our jobs will change to focus more on new ideas and understanding customers.
To keep up, aim to be your best. Easy tasks won’t be enough anymore. Focus on important skills — like solving problems, being creative, and understanding users. Simple coding jobs are going away, but new chances will come up for those who change and grow.
Coding is changing fast, and AI is a big part of it. Stay curious, stay alert, and join the AI change in software development.
Here are my 7 pointers on this topic
#1. Coding Isn’t Just About Code
I’ve been thinking that coding is more like talking to computers than just a skill to master. Programming languages help us tell computers what we want them to do. With AI becoming easier to use, maybe learning to code won’t be as important in the future. Perhaps the real skill will be knowing how to ask the right questions and give good prompts to AI tools. So i am not going to spend time in teaching my new born , how to code in python when he turns 7.
#2. How AI Is Changing Developer Jobs
AI is making it easier for more people to become developers. We might see a huge increase in the number of developers worldwide. But that also means AI could take over some programming tasks, especially the simple or repetitive ones. Jobs that involve complex problem-solving — like fixing tricky bugs or dealing with complicated systems — will still need real people.
#3. Our Daily Work Is Changing
Let’s face it: most of our time isn’t spent writing new code but debugging and validating existing code. I’d say it’s an 80/20 split — 80% debugging and testing, 20% writing. As developers, we’re often maintaining code written by someone else. AI is expected to handle more of these mundane tasks, maybe even generating complex solutions down the line. Our role might shift towards refining AI outputs and debugging AI-generated code.
#4. What AI Can’t Do
There are things that AI just can’t replace. Solving complex problems, being creative, using human intuition, thinking with First Principles — these are all things we bring to the table. Understanding what users need, thinking about ethics, and making things just right are areas where humans are still essential. It’s a good reminder to focus on innovation and really understanding our customers, not just cranking out code.
#5. Getting Ready for the Future
I think it’s important for us (developers) to stay on top of our game. Jobs that don’t require a lot of skill might be the first to go as AI gets better. The days of easy coding jobs could be ending. But for those of us who adapt and focus on high-value work, there will still be plenty of opportunities. It’s about being good at what we do and making ourselves indispensable.
#6. Questions I’m Pondering
One thing I’m wondering about: Should we treat code that AI generates as a “black box”? AI still struggles with handling really complex problems in a structured way. While AI can learn existing languages, it’s not a substitute for human design and critical thinking.
#7. Cool AI Tools Out There
I’ve come across some interesting AI tools that are changing how we code:
- Cursor.AI: Code Darling
- GitHub Spark: This lets you code using natural language prompts in an editor. You don’t see any actual code lines — just instant previews and deployment.
- Bolt.new: Great for quickly building prototypes.
- v0: Allows multiple people to work on the same codebase at the same time.
These tools are making coding more accessible and changing the way we approach software development.
Wrapping Up
AI is definitely shaking things up in software development. It’s changing how we work, what skills we need, and the tools we use. But with these changes come new opportunities. If we focus on what AI can’t do and learn to use these new technologies, we can stay ahead in this ever-changing field.
Just wanted to get these thoughts down. It’ll be interesting to see how things look when I read this again in ten years.
