Will Programmers Lose Their Jobs Because of AI?

Introduction

With the buzz of ChatGPT, which stands for Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer, launched on November 30, 2022, excitement, curiosity, and fear were ignited within the tech and AI communities. People are afraid of the potential repercussions, uncertainties, and changes to industries and job markets that could potentially lead to job losses.

Nowadays, ChatGPT, Bard, and GitHub Copilot has proved to be a good competitor at generating code than human, which is why programmers or coders reflect on themselves every day, questioning whether they have made the right choice.

Considering various facts, I've decided to ask ChatGPT and Bard for guidance in order to get a clear answer. Should I keep programming, or is it wiser to look into and pick up other talents for my future?

I've posed a few questions and would like to share the responses I've received. Let's start with the first question:

Will AI impact programming jobs in the near future?

Both ChatGpt and Bard provided me with a similar reply when I asked this question. The response was as follows-

"Yes, AI is already beginning to impact programming jobs and will likely continue to do so in the near future. Here are a few ways in which AI is influencing programming roles:

1. Automation of Routine Task: AI-powered tools can automate repetitive and mundane coding tasks, such as generating boilerplate code, refactoring, and code formatting. This allows programmers to focus on more creative and complex aspects of software development.
2. Code Generation: AI can assist in generating code snippets and even entire programs based on high-level requirements. This is particularly useful for rapid prototyping and development.
3. Bug Detection and Fixing: AI can help identify bugs and vulnerabilities in code by analyzing patterns and comparing code to known best practices. This can improve code quality and security.
4. Optimization: AI algorithms can optimize code for performance, memory usage, and other metrics by analyzing how the code is executed and suggesting improvements.
5. Natural Language Interfaces: AI-powered tools can enable programmers to interact with computers using natural language. This could potentially make programming more accessible to those without traditional coding backgrounds.
6. Assistance in Learning: AI can serve as a learning aid for new programmers, providing instant feedback, suggesting solutions, and guiding them through the learning process.
7. Data Analysis and Machine Learning: AI is already heavily involved in data analysis and machine learning tasks, which are closely related to programming. Programmers who are skilled in AI and machine learning will be in high demand.
8. Impact on Coding Demand: While some routine programming tasks might be automated, the demand for skilled programmers who can design, architect, and create complex software systems is likely to remain strong. AI tools themselves require skilled programmers to develop and maintain.
9. New Job Roles: AI's integration into programming may lead to the emergence of new job roles, such as AI trainers, AI developers, and experts who can fine-tune AI models for specific tasks.

It's important to note that while AI can automate certain aspects of programming, human expertise is still crucial for designing algorithms, understanding user needs, and making ethical decisions. Programmers will need to adapt by acquiring new skills and staying updated on AI developments to remain relevant in this evolving landscape. The relationship between AI and programming will likely involve a blend of collaboration and competition, with AI enhancing programmer productivity rather than fully replacing programmers."

This response so acknowledges that artificial intelligence will have an impact on programming jobs in the near future. There will be less employment available due to automation and artificial intelligence tools, but absolutely programmers' lives will be made easier. To clarify the future employment scope, let's ask the second question.

Will programming be carried out by humans or by Artificial Intelligence In 2030?

I asked this question to know the impact of A.I. in the next 6-7 years, and I got the result below.

"As of my last knowledge, predicting the exact state of technology and programming in 2030 is challenging. However, I can provide some insights based on the trends up to that point.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been advancing rapidly, and its capabilities in various fields, including programming, have been growing. AI can already assist programmers in tasks such as code generation, bug detection, and optimization. This trend suggests that AI will likely play a significant role in programming activities in the future.

However, it's important to note that AI is not likely to completely replace human programmers by 2030. While AI can automate certain tasks and streamline the development process, programming is a creative and complex activity that involves problem-solving, design decisions, and adapting to new requirements. Human programmers bring a deep understanding of context, domain knowledge, and the ability to make judgment calls that machines might struggle with.

In the foreseeable future, it's more plausible that humans and AI will collaborate in the programming process. AI tools might assist programmers in generating code, suggesting solutions, and handling routine tasks, but human programmers will still provide the critical thinking, creativity, and oversight that is essential for producing high-quality software."

While AI will likely have an increasingly prominent role in programming activities by 2030, human programmers will remain integral to the process due to their unique cognitive abilities and domain expertise.

So yes, it's not going to completely replace humans but can replace a part of jobs from the industry while ai is going to be the more prominent by 2023.

Examples of AI-aligned programming, reasons for automated coding, and what benefits of human-free programming?

This can also be asked, "Give specific examples of how and why programming is suited for AI. Please list all the arguments why programming should only be done by computers and robots rather than by people. provide me with a list of all the advantages of programming without a live person."

The purpose of asking this question was to determine how and why AI programming is superior to human programming, as well as where humans stand in comparison to AI. This was the response:

"While programming involves a combination of creativity, problem-solving, and domain knowledge that is currently best handled by humans, there are certain tasks and scenarios where AI can offer advantages. Here are specific examples of how and why programming is suited for AI, along with arguments for programming done solely by computers and robots:

Examples of How and Why Programming is Suited for AI

1. Code Generation: AI can generate code based on high-level requirements or natural language descriptions, speeding up the initial coding process.
2. Code Refactoring: AI tools can automatically analyze code and suggest optimizations, making the codebase more efficient and maintainable.
3. Bug Detection: AI-powered tools can scan code for patterns that indicate potential bugs, helping catch errors early in the development cycle.
4. Performance Optimization: AI can analyze code and suggest ways to optimize performance, such as memory usage and execution speed.
5. Automated Testing: AI can automate the testing process by generating test cases, running tests, and identifying potential vulnerabilities.
6. Predictive Analytics: AI can analyze historical data and predict software defects or vulnerabilities, enabling proactive maintenance.
7. Pattern Recognition: AI can identify patterns in large codebases, aiding in tasks like identifying duplicated code or enforcing coding standards.

Arguments for Programming by Computers and Robots

1. Precision and Consistency: Computers can consistently follow coding standards, minimizing human errors and ensuring consistent code quality.
2. Efficiency: AI can analyze large codebases quickly, detecting issues and suggesting improvements far faster than a human programmer.
3. Repetitive Tasks: AI is well-suited for automating repetitive coding tasks, freeing up human programmers for more creative and complex work.
4. Scalability: Computers can handle massive amounts of data and code, making them suitable for large-scale projects that might overwhelm human programmers.
5. Objective Decision-Making: AI decisions are based on data and algorithms, minimizing bias and subjectivity in code-related decisions.
6. 24/7 Availability: AI-powered tools can work around the clock, continuously monitoring code and suggesting improvements.
7. Rapid Learning: AI can quickly adapt to new programming languages, libraries, and frameworks, accelerating the development process.
8. Cost-Effectiveness: Once developed, AI tools can be more cost-effective than employing human programmers for routine tasks.
9. Risk Reduction: AI can identify potential security vulnerabilities, helping to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.
10. Data-Driven Insights: AI can provide insights into code performance and usage patterns, aiding in making informed decisions about codebase improvements.

While AI can excel in these areas, it's important to note that programming is not solely about writing code. Human programmers bring creativity, intuition, domain expertise, and ethical judgment to the table. Additionally, AI might struggle with understanding complex contexts, making nuanced decisions, and addressing aspects such as user experience and ethical considerations. Therefore, the most likely scenario is a collaborative approach, where AI tools enhance human programmers' capabilities while humans provide the critical thinking and expertise that AI currently lacks."

Getting into the response, we learned that while AI outperforms people in most respects, humans still provide creativity, intuition, and other expertise, even though AI can now also exhibit creativity and getting improved day by day.

Can people expect to lose their jobs as a result of losing the race to computers program in the future?

To summarise, I asked whether or when human beings will struggle with computer programming, whether they will lose their jobs as a result, or both. I received the following response-

"The future impact of computers and automation on jobs is a complex and debated topic. While computers and AI have the potential to outperform humans in certain tasks, it's important to note that the relationship between technology and jobs is multifaceted and not necessarily a zero-sum game.

1. Job Displacement: Automation and AI can lead to the displacement of certain jobs that involve routine, repetitive tasks. This has been evident in manufacturing and some service industries. However, history has shown that while certain jobs might be replaced, new jobs often emerge to support and maintain the technology itself. For example, the rise of computers led to the creation of new job roles in IT, software development, data analysis, and more.
2. Job Enhancement: Automation and AI can also enhance human capabilities. For instance, AI can assist professionals in making better decisions by analyzing large datasets quickly. This can lead to increased productivity and the creation of new opportunities for innovation.
3. Creativity and Complex Problem Solving: Jobs that require creativity, complex problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and a nuanced understanding of human interactions are less likely to be easily automated. These skills are often associated with professions like art, design, research, therapy, and management.
4. Human-Machine Collaboration: Rather than replacing humans, AI and automation can work alongside humans, augmenting their abilities. This has the potential to create hybrid roles where humans and machines collaborate to achieve better results.
5. Reskilling and Education: As the job landscape evolves, the importance of reskilling and continuous education becomes crucial. People may need to adapt and learn new skills to remain relevant in the changing job market.
6. Ethical and Social Considerations: The adoption of AI and automation also raises ethical and social questions. Decisions about which tasks should be automated and how to ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency in AI systems are ongoing challenges.

The future of jobs is not a simple "race" between humans and computers. It's likely to be a combination of job displacement, job enhancement, and the emergence of new roles. The key lies in understanding the evolving landscape, acquiring relevant skills, and embracing the opportunities that technology brings. Society, governments, and businesses also play a role in shaping how the impact of automation and AI affects the workforce."

The answer is that computers and artificial intelligence have greater potential than humans and that by analyzing the past, some jobs may be eliminated. On another level, the upcoming position may include aspects related to automation, artificial intelligence, machine and human collaboration, creativity, and difficult problem-solving.

Summary

In my view, predicting the impact of ChatGPT technology is challenging even without considering its capabilities. However, I believe that programmers won't become obsolete. Instead, skilled programmers will likely embrace this new technology and leverage it to their advantage. ChatGPT could function as a programmer's assistant, providing data and answering questions, even about non-essential details. This could aid programmers in their work and problem-solving. Whether this development is positive or negative depends on perspective. It encourages creativity, allowing programmers to utilize it to their benefit.