Skip to content

In the era of artificial intelligence, is it advisable to master coding?

Software development skills now being efficiently handled by AI. Worthwhile to still learn coding?

In the artificial intelligence era, is learning how to program still a valuable skill?
In the artificial intelligence era, is learning how to program still a valuable skill?

In the era of artificial intelligence, is it advisable to master coding?

In the ever-evolving tech industry, a heated debate has been brewing about the necessity of programming knowledge in a world where AI tools like ChatGPT and Cursor are becoming increasingly prevalent. This debate was recently highlighted in an episode of OpenAI's podcast, where researcher Szymon Sidor and host Andrew Mayne emphasised the importance of mastering both programming and AI handling.

Szymon Sidor, who has been working at OpenAI for over eight years, believes that learning to code is about more than just understanding the basics. He stated that a skill that's highly sought after and will continue to be in the future is a structured mind that can break down complex problems into their components. This view was echoed by OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, who advises students to master handling AI, suggesting it as the new equivalent to mastering programming.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also weighed in on the topic, stating that the company's AI would soon be able to write code equivalent to a mid-level engineer. This advancement in AI programming capabilities further underscores the importance of understanding the underlying code, according to Sidor and Mayne.

Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, among other leading figures, share the views of Sidor and Mayne on the importance of programming for students. GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke even advocates for coding to be taught as a core subject.

Sidor, in his August 2022 podcast appearance, likened learning programming to a pilot understanding aerodynamics. He believes that programming is a great way to learn a structured mind, emphasising the importance of this skill in a world where AI tools are becoming more prevalent.

OpenAI's podcast discussion reflects the views of leading voices in the industry emphasising the importance of mastering both programming and AI handling. As AI continues to advance, the need for individuals who can understand and manipulate these tools becomes increasingly crucial. Despite the advancements in AI, the importance of learning programming remains a cornerstone in the tech industry.

Read also:

Latest