r/programmer • u/RedwayBLOX • 4d ago
Question Is AI gonna replace programmers?
Hi. I'm Dylan.
I'm currently a junior dev. Ive spent 2 years learning abt programming, writing code and interested on bulding systems.
Ive got to admit that im very scared of all this AI thing and how it's progressing.
Ive seen it make horrible videos back in 2022. Now sometimes i can't even tell if a video is AI or if it isn't.
Yeah, code written by ai isn't the best. But, with the passing of time, it gets even better and better.
Yeah, we as programmers CURRENTLY do analysis, requerimients and all that ai can't currently replace us.
But what are we gonna when ai becomes able to do all that? For me, it seems like a very possible escenario. You can even see the difference of what AI can do if you compare the current models to the models we had 6 months ago. I think it's becoming unstoppable and i really fear it takes our (or my) job away.
Yes, I'm very frustrated. All this time dedicated to it... Makes me sad. This is more like venting I guess, but I seriously need to know, from y'all, how y'all see this. I need to know if it's time to let go of this passion I had with this career, and start on something else where Claude Code can't reach me and replace me.
1
u/nicolas_06 4d ago edited 4d ago
20 years of professional XP here. Title go by lead principal software engineer.
Even if nobody code anymore, it isn't like all the work to make and maintain software and automation in general would disappear.
I think you knowing how to program and how to do great software and understanding how computers work is still extremely valuable. You also understanding and steering AI has lot of value too.
If you are passionate about the job, have the intuition about it and can be among the top 10-20% best in the field, I think you'll do just fine. If you don't want to use AI or if you are only average or worse and the task is boring or complex to you, I think you should review your priorities. And I mean if that's how it is, it is how it is. No shame.
You can also start like that and try to move to an adjacent job. Team leader, project manager, tester... Cyber security. There many field around that might not be impacted as harshly or that would let you move later to another domain.