AI Replacing Coders & Impact on Tech Jobs

Published: Feb. 7, 2024, 6:35 p.m.

b"Good day, everybody. Brian here from quantlabs.net discussing today a growing concern in the tech and finance industry, that Artificial Intelligence may replace coding jobs. Software developers are increasingly aware of this threat, leading to discussions on the outdated nature of certain tech-based skills.Recent articles from eFinancialCareers, and comments from UBS\\u2019s chief economist, Paul Donovan, argue that computer coding could become obsolete. On the flip side, the increasing use of AI in software development threatens to make certain tech jobs redundant, particularly as AI-based code generation becomes more common and effective.With automation on the rise, fewer developers are needed for maintenance tasks. Yet, this comes with certain risks. AI makes development processes more disposable and increases the risk of system failures if the technology isn't well-understood or if it's poorly implemented. However, the rapid decommissioning of legacy applications and the rise of AI-integration means that many of these coding jobs may not return after a round of layoffs.While AI does simplify the software development process, someone still needs to visualize the required building blocks and how they fit together. This is where the danger of poorly implemented or not properly coded systems comes in. Integration problems, heightened security vulnerabilities, or a simple failure in data transfer can all lead to system failures if not properly managed.So, what's the future for coding and developer jobs? It seems that coding, in its traditional form, may take a backseat in the coming years. The emergence of prompt engineering, which involves queuing up queries to AI bots, is seen as the future of this field. However, there is still a need for high-level coders, particularly in high-frequency trading. For those aspiring to be successful in these fields, strong skills in trading, math, and computer science are still heavily coveted.The future may see more AI in software development, but until AI becomes advanced enough to assume entire coding processes and solve complex programming problems, a future where human coders are entirely replaced still seems distant. Regardless, both AI and traditional coding skills remain key for those seeking employment or self-employment in tech or finance."