Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes the future of computing may eliminate the need for traditional programming. Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai in early 2024, he suggested that advancements in AI will make it so “nobody has to program,” with human language becoming the new “programming language.” According to Huang, AI is turning everyone into a programmer, allowing people to focus on tasks like education and farming, while AI handles complex tasks.

However, Huang wasn’t dismissing coding altogether. His message emphasized how AI can empower more people to engage in programming, with the key skill now being how and when to use AI tools effectively alongside coding.

AI is breaking down barriers in software development, making it more accessible. Tools like OpenAI’s Codex and DeepMind’s AlphaCode are already capable of generating code faster and more efficiently than human coders in certain cases. A 2022 study by DeepMind revealed that AlphaCode could solve coding problems at a level comparable to a junior software engineer, even handling tasks that required significant reasoning.

Despite this progress, AI is not yet ready to take over the role of software engineers entirely. There are still complexities that can’t be overlooked. Claims that “coding will soon be obsolete” are premature. AI is certainly changing the landscape of software development, but it doesn’t mean human programmers will be replaced anytime soon.

Pat Ramadass, a leader in Microsoft Services at DVT, highlights how AI is transforming roles within the industry. “We use AI internally to streamline tasks such as code generation, refactoring, automation, testing, and bug fixing,” Ramadass says. “The job is evolving with AI, but it’s not going away.”

The demand for AI skills is booming, with the market growing from nearly $50 billion in 2023 to over $183 billion by 2024, and projections to exceed $826 billion by 2030. Companies are pouring investments into AI startups, with Nvidia, Salesforce, and Microsoft making multi-million-dollar commitments to fuel AI innovation.

AI as a Helping Hand

As AI continues to evolve, it is increasingly being seen as an assistant rather than a replacement for human programmers. Stefan Steffen, who leads data insights at BCX, points out that AI is already making significant contributions by improving code quality. “AI can review large bodies of code, detect errors, and even document it, which is usually a tedious task for developers,” he explains. Tools like GitHub Copilot have proven to increase not just efficiency but also developer satisfaction, with recent studies showing that productivity is now measured more by mental energy and job satisfaction than by speed alone.

Niel Coetzee, head of engineering at redPanda Software, likens AI’s role to that of a calculator. “When calculators first came out, people feared mathematicians would no longer be needed, but their roles simply evolved. The same is true for software engineers,” he says. Developers are now moving towards becoming AI software engineers, blending their coding expertise with AI capabilities to achieve faster and more accurate outcomes.

AI in Everyday Development

Richard Frank, CTO at Flow Communications, shares how AI tools like GitHub Copilot have become a staple in his daily work. “I still write the code, but AI offers suggestions and hints that help me get to the solution more efficiently. It’s not taking over the architectural decisions but is helping with about 30% to 40% of the coding process,” he explains.

Frank also notes that every software engineer he knows is using AI in some capacity, depending on the type of projects they’re working on. “It acts almost like a pair programmer, offering insights on bugs or code problems,” he adds. However, Frank is quick to dismiss fears of AI replacing skilled developers entirely. “AI isn’t replacing those who deeply understand code. It’s a tool that enhances productivity.”

Steffen echoes this sentiment, pointing out that while AI can assist with tasks like testing and debugging, it doesn’t replace the need for strong foundational knowledge in software engineering. “There’s a concern that these tools could make developers lazy, skipping the hard learning processes that are crucial for becoming truly creative and high-quality coders,” he says.

Ultimately, AI is reshaping the future of software development, but it’s not about replacing coders—it’s about making their work more efficient and empowering them to focus on higher-level challenges.

Source