Should You Still Learn to Code in 2025?

Summary

In 2025, AI tools like C-Pilot and Windsurf are revolutionizing programming, making it faster and cheaper. However, while the demand for junior developers remains limited, the need for AI proficiency in coding is growing. AI isn’t replacing developers but enhancing their roles. Those who fail to adapt and learn AI will be outpaced by those who embrace it. Although coding fundamentals like problem-solving and logic remain crucial, learning to use AI is essential to stay competitive. In this video, Laz shares his journey from struggling in a tough job market to landing top roles and urges aspiring developers to embrace AI alongside coding skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 AI tools like C-Pilot and Windsurf are rapidly changing the coding landscape in 2025, making coding faster, cheaper, and more efficient.
• 😀 Despite the rise of AI, junior developer roles are still limited, with only 71,000 new roles created last year.
• 😀 The job market for developers is competitive, but adapting to new technologies like AI can help secure a position.
• 😀 AI is not here to replace programmers, but to enhance their productivity, making it crucial to learn how to work with AI.
• 😀 Nvidia CEO Jensen Hang's statement that 'coding is dead' is often taken out of context; AI is not meant to replace jobs but to augment them.
• 😀 The real threat to developers is not AI, but individuals who learn to use AI effectively and leave others behind.
• 😀 History shows that automation, like the invention of the mechanical reaper in 1831, leads to job evolution rather than job elimination.
• 😀 Similar to how farmers adapted to using the mechanical reaper, developers must learn to integrate AI into their workflows to stay relevant.
• 😀 If you don’t adapt and learn how to use AI, you risk being left behind by developers who can use AI more effectively.
• 😀 Coding in 2025 is still valuable, but it’s essential to combine foundational skills with AI tools to stay competitive in the job market.

Q & A

Why should we still learn to code in 2025 if AI can do it faster, cheaper, and better than junior devs?

Even though AI tools like C-Pilot and Windsurf are increasingly used in coding, the role of coding itself is evolving. AI will enhance developers' productivity, but coding is still foundational for creating new technologies. Developers who adapt by learning how to use AI tools will remain competitive.

What’s the significance of the AI tools like C-Pilot and Windsurf being used widely?

These tools highlight that AI is becoming integrated into everyday development processes. They make coding more efficient, but they don't eliminate the need for developers to understand how to use them effectively and to work alongside AI.

Why are there only 71,000 junior dev roles available in the last year, despite the widespread use of AI tools?

The mismatch between AI’s capabilities and the number of junior developer roles indicates that AI isn't replacing jobs entirely but reshaping them. Junior devs who know how to integrate AI into their work will be more valuable than those who don't.

What does Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, mean by saying 'coding is dead'?

Jensen Huang’s comment about coding being dead refers to the idea that AI will help automate many of the tasks traditionally done by developers. However, his full message was that AI won't replace developers, but will rather enhance their capabilities, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.

How should developers interpret the statement that AI is not here to replace them, but to enhance their job?

Developers should view AI as a tool that can increase their efficiency and productivity. It’s not a replacement, but a way to automate repetitive tasks, giving developers more time to focus on higher-level problem-solving and innovation.

What lesson can be learned from the historical example of the mechanical reaper?

The mechanical reaper revolutionized farming, increasing productivity and evolving job roles rather than eliminating them. Similarly, developers who learn to use AI will thrive, while those who don’t adapt may lose out to others who use AI more effectively.

Why did farmers initially resist the mechanical reaper, and what happened to those who adapted?

Farmers resisted the mechanical reaper because it threatened their traditional way of working. However, those who adapted and learned how to use the new technology saw higher productivity and job stability. Farms that couldn't grow or adapt were bought out by those that could, demonstrating the importance of staying competitive.

What does Laz mean by saying that coding is not going anywhere, just like farming hasn’t disappeared?

Laz is emphasizing that coding remains a core skill, just like farming still exists. Despite technological advances like AI, coding is essential for building automation and robotics. The field will evolve, but coding will remain fundamental.

What should aspiring developers focus on learning in 2025?

Aspiring developers should focus on learning the fundamentals of coding, such as data structures, problem-solving, and logic. These skills form the foundation for understanding more complex topics. Additionally, they should learn how to work with AI tools to stay competitive in the job market.

Why is it important to build a strong foundation in coding before using AI tools?

A solid understanding of coding fundamentals allows developers to better understand how AI works and how to use it effectively. Without this foundation, developers may struggle to leverage AI tools in meaningful ways, potentially losing out to those who have both strong coding skills and AI expertise.