The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly altering the software development landscape, especially in developing countries where coding jobs have provided economic opportunities. Ndubuisi Ekekwe, CEO of Famiscro Group, highlighted this shift on his official Facebook page, noting that AI’s increasing role in automating software development is leading to a decline in the demand for traditional coding skills.
Ekekwe pointed out that the reduction in advertisements for coding schools and camps signals AI’s disruptive impact on the industry. He explained that as AI continues to automate coding tasks, the role of traditional coders is diminishing, leading to what he describes as coders “coding themselves out of jobs.”
The emphasis, according to Ekekwe, is shifting from coding to algorithm development, which is expected to offer more sustainable opportunities in the AI-dominated future. He stressed the importance of mathematics, describing it as the “beautiful science of numbers” and a crucial foundation for understanding and advancing in the field of AI.
AI-Powered Coding Tools
AI tools such as ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, CodiumAI Codiumate, and Amazon CodeWhisperer are revolutionizing software development. These tools automate code generation, accelerating development timelines, and are continually improving to produce high-quality, executable code.
Industry Perspectives
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, expressed at the World Government Summit in Dubai that the traditional emphasis on learning to code might be outdated. Huang stated, “Kids no longer need to learn to code; AI will do that,” highlighting the shift towards AI-driven software development.
However, experts like Francis Nwebonyi, a cybersecurity consultant, caution against relying solely on AI without a deep understanding of its principles, including coding. On LinkedIn, Nwebonyi advised young people to focus on learning data structures alongside coding to ensure they remain relevant in the evolving tech landscape. He emphasized that understanding data structures is essential for achieving meaningful results in tech and AI roles, even in an AI-driven world.
Nwebonyi’s advice underscores the need for a balanced approach to technology education, one that goes beyond coding to include a strong foundation in the underlying principles that drive AI.
