The Emergence of AI-First Programming
A new kind of programming is emerging — one that is AI-first.
Humans will supervise AI work and jump into details where needed. The AI handles the rest.
New people entering the field will also enter it AI-first. They’ll build and publish entire apps in hours.
Access to AI tools would be a standard part of universities’ infrastructure, just as a library of books is today.
The Transition Period Challenge
However, there are a few years before the world gets there — perhaps 5 years, perhaps 10 years. Some places will get there earlier, some later, some after a long time. During this transition period, many students seeking to enter the workforce will find themselves at a distinct disadvantage.
Many of them would not have had access to the latest AI tools. They won’t have developed the skills needed to work with them.
Even if they do have the tools, many won’t have access to the right guidance in navigating this new world.
Industry Transformation and Talent Shortage
Meanwhile, the software industry will continue to churn out code. It will add to the billions of lines that already exist and power the systems people rely on every day.
Companies will get used to the increased level of productivity of their software engineering teams. They won’t be able to go back.
This will give rise to a major talent shortage in the software industry.
Preparing for the Future
How do we make sure we give young people today the access to tools and guidance they need? How do we prepare them for the jobs that will be waiting for them tomorrow?
The Low Floor, High Ceiling Reality
It is also worth noting that coding will increasingly become a low floor, high ceiling activity. The number of people who claim to have programming skills will increase exponentially. However, those who can actually work on a software project while meeting the increased expectations of the business could actually reduce from current levels.
This can lead to a lot of frustration for businesses as they struggle to find the right candidates. Not only will students need help, but businesses will too in hiring the right students.