Artificial intelligence coding tools are generating significant discussion about their impact on the job market and career development. According to the Los Angeles Times, these tools are fundamentally changing the work experience for many software developers. Gartner analyst Philip Walsh argues that AI will not replace software engineers but will instead drive a greater need for skilled professionals. “There’s so much software that isn’t created today because we can’t prioritize it,” Walsh explained. “It’s going to drive demand for more software creation, and that’s going to drive demand for highly skilled software engineers who can do it.” However, Walsh also highlighted that the idea of non-technical employees creating business-ready software through these tools is a misunderstanding. “The quality is not there. The robustness is not there. The scalability and security of the code is not there,” he emphasized. “These tools reward highly skilled technical professionals who already know what ‘good’ looks like.”
Economists are raising concerns that AI could displace entry-level jobs, as noted in a recent Stanford University report. The study revealed substantial declines in employment for early-career workers, particularly those aged 22-25, in fields most affected by AI. The report also indicated that by 2024, AI tools had already solved nearly 72% of coding problems, up from just over 4% a year earlier. Cat Wu, project manager of Anthropic’s Claude Code, concurs with these observations but adds a critical perspective. While her team doesn’t use the term “vibe coding,” she insists that the responsibility ultimately rests with engineers. “We definitely want to make it very clear that the responsibility, at the end of the day, is in the hands of the engineers,” Wu said. She advises her younger sister, who is still in college, that software engineering remains a promising career. “When I talk with her about this, I tell her AI will make you a lot faster, but it’s still really important to understand the building blocks because the AI doesn’t always make the right decisions,” she explained. “A lot of times the human intuition is really important.” This highlights the dual nature of AI in the tech industry: it can both create opportunities for skilled professionals and disrupt traditional career paths, underscoring the need for continued human expertise and adaptability in the field.