Learning to code still important in AI era – Despite the rapid rise of AI coding tools, Yossi Matias, Google’s head of research, has shared a unique perspective, emphasizing that learning to code is still crucial for everyone.
In an interview with Business Insider, Matias stated, “The fundamental idea of learning basic disciplines remains as essential as ever.” His statement comes at a time when many companies are increasingly relying on generative AI tools to handle coding tasks, sparking concerns about job security among software engineers and potentially discouraging students from pursuing traditional computer science degrees.
According to a report from research firm Gartner, more than 80% of software engineers will need to acquire new skills, such as natural-language prompt engineering and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), to remain competitive in the age of generative AI.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai mentioned in the company’s Q3 2024 earnings call that “over a quarter of all new code at Google is generated by AI, then reviewed and accepted by engineers.” However, AI coding tools still have limitations. Studies indicate that the quality of AI-generated code sometimes falls short. A survey of 800 developers using GitHub Copilot revealed that not only were there no significant productivity gains, but there was also a reported 41% increase in bugs within pull requests when using the AI tool.
In this light, Matias’s suggestion that people should “master the basics,” such as coding fundamentals, may hold weight. Even with the rise of AI, a solid foundation in coding prepares individuals to adapt to the evolving demands and opportunities in tech.
AI’s influence extends beyond software development, impacting fields like biology, chemistry, and medicine. Matias highlighted the impact of Google’s AI image classification tools in healthcare, with some users even crediting the technology with prompting them to seek timely medical care that could have been life-saving.
Conclusion
In the era of AI, learning to code remains invaluable. While AI can assist with certain tasks, Matias emphasizes that foundational coding skills equip people with a critical understanding that is as relevant today as ever, enabling them to navigate both current and future developments in technology.