Should you still learn to code? Godfather of AI has some valuable advice

As artificial intelligence continues to advance, many in the tech sector are questioning the future relevance of coding. Prominent AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as a pioneer in the field, believes that it's premature to abandon computer science education. Hinton emphasized that while AI is improving in both writing and executing code, a computer science degree offers much more than just programming skills. In a conversation with Business Insider, Hinton clarified, "Many people think a CS degree is just programming or something. Obviously, just being a competent mid-level programmer is not going to be a career for much longer, because AI can do that." He argued that the value of a computer science degree extends beyond mere coding capabilities, ensuring its continued importance in the tech landscape. Drawing an analogy to the study of Latin among humanities students, Hinton remarked, "I think it’s very useful to learn to code, and even if they end up not having AI do all the coding for them. It’s similar to learning Latin; while you may never speak it, the knowledge is still beneficial." He also pointed out that foundational skills in mathematics, statistics, probability, and linear algebra will remain relevant and valuable in the long run. Echoing Hinton's sentiments, Bret Taylor, chairman of OpenAI, shared his views on a recent episode of Lenny’s podcast. Taylor noted, "Studying computer science is a different answer than learning to code, but I also think it’s extremely valuable to study computer science. That’s because computer science is more than coding." Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella added his voice to the conversation, stressing the importance of understanding software fundamentals. He stated, "Just getting the real fundamentals of software still matters a lot to me if you’re a software engineer. Having the ability to think computationally is important." In contrast, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has taken a different stance, suggesting that students should focus on fields such as biology or education rather than coding. He stated last year, "It is our job to create computing technology such that nobody has to program and the programming language is human. Everybody in the world is now a programmer. This is the miracle of artificial intelligence."