We are increasingly witnessing it every day: recent advancements in generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) are nothing short of spectacular. These systems are capable of producing computer code, thereby facilitating tasks that were once exclusively the domain of human programmers. This development raises pertinent questions about the future of tech professions and the role of coding education. Among other queries, one might wonder why teach coding in the era of AI. 🤔
The rise of generative AI technologies, especially in coding, has led many tech professionals to incorporate this technology into their daily routines to enhance productivity. Searching the internet for coding solutions now seems to be a thing of the past.
From StackOverflow to ChatGPT
For instance, we observe a decline in traffic to sites like StackOverflow, which used to be a staple for developers seeking solutions to their problems. Before, we would search Google for answers to similar issues; today, we precisely articulate the problem to ChatGPT, and in most cases, if done well (i.e., prompt engineering), the AI’s solutions are relevant and can be directly integrated into the code.
This boost in productivity is especially apparent in areas such as web development, API development, database design, etc. Here, tech professionals possess a powerful tool, a kind of exoskeleton granting them superpowers. 🤓
Legitimate Concerns
The impact of generative AI raises questions about the future of the computer developer profession. The current IT services market, influenced by AI, is leaning towards hiring less experienced technical profiles at a lower cost. If the observation is that generative AI tends to replace IT professions, then it is legitimate, as a parent, to question: is there still an interest for my child to acquire this skill? For a teacher, the question is similar: why continue to teach coding in the era of AI? 🤷♂️🏫
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
Why teach coding in the era of AI? Firstly, for the same reasons as before the era of AI. If you want a refresher on the basics, our article The 10 Reasons to Teach Coding to Children provides solid arguments for considering teaching this discipline to your child. All the arguments developed in this article remain valid, as it is easy to see that AI remains a tool, a product of the mind that does not replace human creativity, adaptability, contextual understanding, nor the interpersonal skills essential for software development.
Contextual and Creative Understanding
Indeed, Generative AI, while powerful, often lacks the ability to understand the overall context of a computer project. A human developer can grasp the subtle nuances of a user’s needs or the specific objectives of a project. Human creativity plays a crucial role in designing innovative, personalized solutions tailored to specific problems, a task where AI, primarily functioning on existing data, may not excel.
Human Interaction and Collaboration
Coding is not a solitary activity. It often involves collaboration between multiple interdisciplinary teams, requiring effective communication and mutual understanding. Human skills in communication and teamwork are essential for successfully managing complex projects, where generative AI can only play a supporting role.
Ethics and Moral Judgment
In software development, ethical decisions and moral judgment play a significant role, especially in sensitive areas like health or security. Human developers are capable of making ethical decisions and assessing the societal impact of their codes, a capability still beyond an AI devoid of judgment.
Holistic Understanding and Adaptability
Human developers can holistically understand a project, considering technological changes, market trends, and evolving needs. This adaptability and strategic thinking are fundamental in a rapidly evolving technology world, whereas AI is limited by the data and models it was trained on.
Unique Problem Solving
Every coding project may present unique challenges requiring a tailored approach. Human developers can apply their experience, intuition, and reasoning to solve complex and novel problems, a skill often beyond generative AI algorithms.
The Shifting Landscape of SE roles
In the AI era, certain technical roles in software engineering are more susceptible to automation and AI assistance. Junior developers, code reviewers, QA testers, technical support, web developers, and data entry specialists may see a significant transformation in their job functions.
AI tools are becoming adept at handling routine coding tasks, debugging, automated testing, and basic support queries, which reduces the need for human intervention in these areas. However, this shift also opens new opportunities in AI model training, ethical AI development, and AI-enhanced software engineering. Professionals in the field will need to adapt by developing skills in AI and focusing on areas that require human creativity and complex problem-solving, ensuring they stay relevant in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Potential Risks for New Generations
As the use of generative AI in the field of computer programming becomes increasingly common, we must consider the impact of such widespread practice on new generations. It’s evident that daily use of AI, much like social media or streaming platforms, can become an addiction. The most immediate observation is that a programmer’s brain increasingly delegates problem-solving tasks to AI, becoming somewhat dependent on its presence. Like any technology that offers a competitive edge in a given field, humans become reliant on it.
By constantly delegating problem-solving, there’s a risk of learning nothing, as true learning comes from facing a problem and searching for solutions. ⚠️ The evidence of this dependence is likely to become more apparent in the coming years, as the technology matures. However, the approach to teaching computer programming must also evolve to guard against the risk of intellectual laziness that can stem from excessive use of AI.
In Conclusion
Generative AI, especially in the field of computer programming, proves to be a powerful tool that enhances human efficiency and productivity. However, it cannot replace fundamental human attributes such as creativity, adaptability, nuanced understanding of context, or interpersonal skills. 🧠💡
Innovations like ChatGPT are the product of human creative thinking, capturing a snapshot of what the human brain is capable of conceiving. However, this advanced artificial intelligence lacks the intrinsic ability to create or evolve autonomously. Thus, it forms a fertile ground for continuous improvement orchestrated by human intelligence. In summary, AI acts as a culmination, a complement, or a support tool, but never as a substitute for human intelligence.
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