You can apply this question to all sorts of professions at the moment, what with the spectre of AI ominously hovering on the horizon of our already fragile job market. But it’s a pertinent question to point at tech itself.
Because from the outside, the idea of large language models and other examples of artificial intelligence that were largely designed by programmers, going on to cannibalise the very jobs that made them, is drenched in the irresistible irony of the mythical ourobouros: the snake that famously ate its own tail. Yes, it’s an easy thing to point out. But actually, there’s a bit more to it than that.
There Was Never a Paradigm to Begin With
Coding has always been about one thing: translating human ideas into instructions that a machine can understand. The tools we’ve used to accomplish this have always shifted with technological advancement, much as they are now in this latest form of digital transformation. Once upon a time, we were using punch cards. Next thing, we were developing visual builders to take care of a lot of the workload. Now, a significant amount of development is AI-assisted.
The times, they are, indeed, a-changing. Always have been; always will be.
How Does This Change the Nature of the Job?
In recent years, coding has felt a lot like some kind of abstract craftsmanship; it requires a combination of technical skill, artistic expression, and a perfectionist’s mindset that’s enough to scare most people away.
But how will this change in the age of AI? Well, to finally answer the titular question of this article, yes, I think we will still be coding in 10 years. But there will be fewer of us doing it, and the nature of it will change. We will no longer be craftsmen. Instead, the job will probably become more directorial, as we bark orders that relate to the intent, restrictions, and outcome at some sort of AI, relating to restrictions and outcome, while the syntax itself is all taken care of.
Read: How a .NET Development Company Helps Modernize Systems
How Coders Will Retain Their Value
Maybe coders aren’t as replaceable as everyone thinks? AI is versatile, sure, but I’ll back humanity for a minute. Our versatility has taken us out of the ocean, the mud, and the treetops, up into the sky, then to the moon and back.
So, if I were a betting man (I’m not), I’d bet that, when the foundations of our world are shaken, we’ll keep our feet firmly planted as we discover the best ways to adapt. In this particular case, I predict that certain aspects of coders’ jobs will no longer be relevant. Memorising syntax, for instance. Instead, areas like architecture, systems thinking, and design clarity will become the key areas of proficiency where human engineers gain the edge over their robotic competitors.
Low Code and No Code Platforms
There’s a strange contradiction that is highlighted by the presence of so-called ‘low code’ and ‘no code’ platforms. On one hand, we have an industry where there will likely be fewer jobs on offer due to the prevalence of AI, while at the same time, this industry is now more accessible for the masses than ever because of these platforms.
They enable their users to build programmes and applications with straightforward operating systems, often with simple user interfaces that allow people to drag and drop components and configure within an established framework, rather than needing to code from the ground up.
In many ways, this shift is all about empowering non-developers or aspiring ones to spread their creative wings and gain a surface-level appreciation for programming and development. You could also argue that it aligns more closely with where the sector as a whole is going, as coders move toward a more ‘directorial’ way of working.
Education and Learning in a Changing Landscape
So, how does all of this affect education? Much like the other areas that we’ve discussed here, education is always changing and adapting to keep pace with the topics that it covers, which means that it will continue to change.
Right now, learning resources are more accessible than ever before, with instructional videos, interactive platforms, and online institutions and learning communities all available at prospective learners’ fingertips. As we’ve discussed already, AI tools will likely continue to simplify the coding process; as it does, teaching will probably move away from the nuts and bolts of different languages and focus more on broader concepts, logic, and problem-solving skills.
Final Thoughts
If I’m wrong, and we’re all just rearranging the decking ahead of the inevitable AI apocalypse, then it’s been good, folks. Perhaps coders will join the rest of us in the pits as we all spend 12 hours a day mining for resources that can feed the vast data centre empire, as planet Earth eats itself into an early grave.
Or, you know, we’ll be ok. One thing’s for sure: these fundamental changes to the nature of the job will demand adaptability from the entire industry. The ripple effect will be felt all over the world, affecting tech giants in Silicon Valley, freelancers in Mumbai, and web developers in Manchester alike.
