The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in coding has sparked widespread debate about its impact on the software industry, with many questioning whether human programmers will become obsolete. While AI has significantly streamlined software development, it has also raised concerns about diminishing job opportunities for skilled coders.
Recently, Replit CEO Amjad Masad weighed in on the discussion, arguing that learning to code is now pointless as AI rapidly progresses towards full automation of coding tasks. Instead, he advised people to focus on problem-solving and creativity, which he believes will remain valuable skills in an AI-driven world.
“I no longer think you should learn to code,” Masad declared in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter).
Replit, the company Masad leads, provides an AI-powered platform that enables users to build apps and websites with minimal coding expertise. His statement was influenced by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who recently predicted that within six months, AI could be generating up to 90% of all code.
Elaborating on his stance, Masad pointed to the rapid evolution of AI-powered coding agents and suggested that the landscape was shifting towards complete AI dominance.
“In the upcase, like what Dario just said recently, all code will be AI generated. I assume that on this optimisation path we’re on, where agents are gonna get better and better and better, the answer would be different. The answer would be no. It would be a waste of time to learn how to code. But you could have different predictions, and I think different people will make different assumptions,” he explained.
However, Masad did not dismiss coding entirely, acknowledging that a basic understanding of programming could still be useful. He encouraged people to develop fundamental skills such as logical thinking, problem breakdown, and clear communication—abilities that would remain relevant even if AI eventually rendered traditional coding obsolete.
“I would say kind of learn a bit of coding. I would say learn how to think, learn how to break down problems, right? Learn how to communicate clearly, as you would with humans, but also with machines,” he added.
Masad’s remarks sparked a heated debate among tech professionals, with many questioning whether learning to code is still a worthwhile pursuit. Several users on X argued that understanding programming fundamentals was still crucial, even if AI played a larger role in development.
One user emphasised the importance of foundational learning: “At least for me, learning to code is what’s allowing me to learn what you suggest. I know it’s for soundbites, but I think the real lesson is, don’t get caught up in syntax.”
Another countered Masad’s claim that coding was unnecessary, stating that coding remains the best way to develop structured thinking skills: “Learning to code is the most effective way of figuring out how to break down problems. There is no alternative that gives you close to the same benefit as consistent, challenging coding work.”
Masad’s statement comes amid growing evidence that AI is already transforming software engineering. Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently revealed that AI now generates 25% of all new code at the company, though human engineers are still required to review and refine it.
Similarly, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the creator of ChatGPT, has stated that AI has already taken over half of all coding tasks in several companies.
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