The swift advancements of AI over the past few years have sparked a fear that AI could soon take over our jobs. This is a topic commonly raised for the tech industry in particular, where headlines and hot takes warn of AI replacing coders altogether.
You might even have read a quote by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, shortened to, “We do need less software engineers.” But have you seen the full quote? What he actually said was, “My basic assumption is that each software engineer will just do much, much more for a while. And then at some point, yeah, maybe we do need less software engineers.”
Even the head of an AI company, who has every reason to promote his product, doesn’t go as far as saying AI is outright replacing developers any time soon. Rather, AI is a useful tool that will allow coders to become even more productive.
Let’s take a step back from the sensationalist headlines and take a more grounded look at AI’s place in software development.
A new tool, not a replacement for skill
Calculators didn’t replace mathematicians, spreadsheets didn’t take over from accountants, and integrated development environments (IDEs) didn’t put programmers out of work. The key is adaptation. Those who learn to work with the technology tend to lead the way.
AI is a powerful tool that is changing how we work, but developers who embrace AI aren’t becoming obsolete. They’re becoming more efficient, more focused, and ultimately, more valuable.
AI as a co-pilot, not an autopilot
Tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and other AI coding assistants don’t write perfect code. They don’t understand project requirements, complex architecture, or long-term maintainability. What they do offer is the ability to quickly generate, refactor, and debug simple code.
AI as such acts more like a co-pilot than an autopilot. The developer still needs to chart the course and oversee progress, but AI helps you get there more efficiently.
The evolution of the developer role
The uncomfortable truth is that AI will impact the roles of some developers, as it will widen the gap between developers who evolve with it and those who don’t. This is because AI tools will allow developers to be much more efficient.
The skillset of tomorrow’s developer will include not only proficiency in languages and frameworks but also an understanding of how to leverage AI effectively. This will include understanding what AI is and how it works, knowing when and how to use AI tools, and being able to communicate and collaborate around AI-driven tools.
This is why Northcoders has created the Data Engineering, AI & Machine Learning Bootcamp, which covers foundational AI and machine learning concepts, as well as practical experience with neural networks, decision trees, LLMs, embeddings, and fine-tuning models. The bootcamp aims to train the next generation of data engineers who integrate AI with their work.
The need for a human touch
AI can’t understand human nuance, context, and creativity. Software development is about more than just code. It’s about solving problems, collaborating with others, understanding users, and building products that matter.
AI doesn’t know why you’re building a product, who it’s for, or what trade-offs matter most. For this, we’ll still need knowledgeable software developers, able to understand the bigger picture and communicate effectively about projects.
The future isn’t AI versus software developers. Instead, the future of software will be a new generation of developers who understand the strengths and weaknesses of AI and can incorporate AI tools smoothly into their work. Current and aspiring software developers need to remain aware of this and keep up to date with emerging AI technologies, so they can keep evolving alongside their field.
If you want to upskill and future-proof your career for the rise of AI, Northcoders’ Data Engineering, AI & Machine Learning Bootcamp can take you there. Click on the link to learn more and apply.