I teach computer science at Montana State University. I am the father of three sons who all know I am a computer programmer and one of whom, at least, has expressed interest in the field. I love computer programming and try to communicate that love to my sons, the students in my classes and anyone else who will listen.
A question I am increasingly getting from relatives, friends and students is:
Given AI, should I still consider becoming a computer programmer?
My response to this is: “Yes, and…”
I’m a tech exec. My friends and colleagues of 25+ years include CEOs and other C level execs of very recognizable companies. Etc, etc, blah, blah. I can, with absolute certainty, say that software dev as we know it todayis a dead field.
https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/jack-dorsey-block-layoffs-21944033.php
☝️ This is the mindset out there, and it is spreading. More scary than that is that the technologies are starting to keep up or exceed their expectations.
Do I think that knowing code will be useful? Absolutely. If you are good enough to tear it apart, break it, and fix it better than before, you will be useful. Will you be able to make a good living off of it? Only if you are exceptional, but how do you become exceptional at a job if nobody gives you a job?
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If you interpret “their expectations” as “better”, then let me correct that assumption. Their expectations are to crank out more with less. More what? Yes.
The future is slop code everywhere because profit driven execs will no longer be limited by quality conscious engineers.