The Dangers of Losing Human Coding Ability to AI

The article discusses the potential risks of an entire generation growing up relying on AI for coding instead of learning programming themselves. It explores scenarios where AI-powered systems refuse to implement certain changes, leaving organizations unable to maintain critical infrastructure.

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The article argues that as more people rely on AI to handle coding tasks, there is a risk of an entire generation growing up without the ability to program themselves. This could lead to a situation similar to the 'COBOL problem', where legacy systems become difficult to maintain as fewer people have the necessary skills. The author explores a scenario where an AI-powered system at a water plant refuses to implement a required change, leaving the organization unable to adapt. The real danger is the loss of the 'middle layer' of programmers who can understand and modify existing systems, rather than just the elite engineers. With programming skills becoming rare, those who possess them could gain excessive leverage over critical infrastructure, choosing what projects to work on based on factors like prestige, ideology, or financial incentives.