Last year, my niece was on the brink of entering college, contemplating a Bachelor of Science degree in Software Engineering. However, she was deeply concerned that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) might render her future job obsolete by the time she graduates.

This concern is not uncommon, and it brings to mind a thought-provoking cartoon I recently came across which is below. The cartoon cleverly illustrates that AI will completely take over coding jobs, leaving no room for people. I wholeheartedly agree with the message it conveys: this fear is largely unfounded and oversimplified. Why the cartoon is deceptive is that “coding” is generalized to software engineering. For clarification a coder is somebody that types code into a file based upon a requirement given to them. A coder levels up to and becomes a developer/sr. software engineer and builds applications using best practices relevant to the language and frameworks including unit testing. They understand the external dependencies and they know how to use them efficiently. After some experience the next step is Principal Engineer, who is a true craftsman having mastered clean and secure coding, and they can design and implement complex architectural patterns using their technological stack.

Today AI is proficient a creating code snipits based upon learning. However, the reality is that AI is will eventually transform the tech landscape, it is also creating new opportunities and roles that we can’t even fully envision yet. Software engineering, in particular, is evolving rather than disappearing. AI tools can enhance productivity, automate repetitive tasks, and open up new avenues for innovation, but they still require skilled professionals to develop, manage, and improve them.

I encouraged my niece to pursue her passion in software engineering, it helps develop critical skills in problem definition, analysis, design, triage that are useful no matter what you are doing. I emphasized that adaptability and continuous learning are critical for long term success, independent of your chosen career path. As the future of work will always demand creative problem-solvers who can harness the power of AI/ML to drive progress. So, rather than fearing the rise of AI, we should embrace it as a catalyst for growth and innovation in the field of software engineering.