AI as an Ally
From The End of Programming as We Know It:
It is not the end of programming. It is the end of programming as we know it today.
Recently, I’ve been actively using and exploring AI coding assistants such as Cursor AI, Claude Code, Windsurf, and GitHub Copilot. While there’s a lot of talk about these tools potentially replacing developers, my experiences make me skeptical about such claims. Here are some thoughts based on what I’ve observed:
AI has fundamentally reshaped the way we code. AI tools now easily handle repetitive tasks, such as generating standard code templates, automating routine patterns, and quickly building basic prototypes. This shift frees developers from repetitive work, allowing us to concentrate more on high-level tasks that require creativity, critical thinking, and deep expertise. The role of developers is shifting from simply writing code to thoughtfully guiding the development process.
AI is a partner, not a replacement. Despite AI’s powerful abilities, it still struggles with tasks that require complex logical reasoning, extended problem-solving interactions, or knowledge of specialized and less common technologies. During debugging, AI assistants can sometimes fall into repetitive loops, unable to resolve detailed or subtle issues alone. At these points, human expertise remains essential. Experienced programmers, with their deep understanding and intuition, need to step in and provide clear guidance. Given how current large language models (LLMs) operate, it’s likely that human input will remain necessary for quite some time, particularly when dealing with complicated edge cases.
This transformation brings new challenges: How do we continue growing in the AI era? As AI takes over more coding tasks, it’s important for us to consider how we’ll continue developing and maintaining our skills. Even if AI handles most routine coding, real mastery still comes from tackling genuine challenges, solving difficult problems, and making informed decisions when uncertainty arises. We must proactively look for opportunities to deepen our knowledge and stay involved in the details of our work. Continuous skill development ensures we remain not only relevant but also crucial.
We’re entering a new era. The future of programming isn’t about AI replacing us; it’s about learning and adapting alongside AI. Staying actively engaged and committed to lifelong learning is essential. Ultimately, developers who embrace collaboration with AI will be best positioned to thrive in this evolving landscape.