n a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, some voices are discouraging young people from learning to code, arguing that AI will soon automate programming entirely.
Renowned AI expert Andrew Ng vehemently disagrees, calling this advice “some of the worst career advice ever given.” In this blog post, we dive into Ng’s perspective, highlighting why coding remains a critical skill in the AI era and why now is the best time to learn it.
The Misguided Claim That Coding Is Obsolete
Ng directly challenges the notion that coding is on its way out. He references a controversial statement from a Turing Award and Nobel Prize winner: “It is far more likely that the programming occupation will become extinct [...] than that it will become all-powerful.
More and more, computers will program themselves.” Ng calls this perspective harmful, arguing that it echoes outdated sentiments from the 1960s when Nobel laureate Herb Simon made a similar claim during the shift from punchcards to keyboard-based programming.
Back then, as programming became easier, it opened doors for more people to enter the field—not fewer. Ng asserts that today’s advancements in AI-assisted coding follow the same trajectory.
Coding Is Getting Easier, So More People Should Learn It
Ng emphasizes that coding has become more accessible over time. From the days of assembly language to modern high-level languages like C, and from raw text editors to sophisticated integrated development environments (IDEs) and AI-assisted tools, the barriers to coding have steadily decreased.
He humorously notes the rise of “vibe coding,” where programmers rely on AI to generate code with minimal manual input.
This evolution, Ng argues, makes coding more approachable, not obsolete. “As coding becomes easier, more people should code, not fewer!” he declares.
To illustrate, Ng points to the growing role of AI-assisted coding tools, like those explored in his video-only short course, Build Apps with Windsurf’s AI Coding Agents. These tools empower coders to work smarter, not harder, amplifying their productivity and creativity.
The Power of Coding in the AI Era
Ng envisions a future where tech-savvy individuals who combine coding skills with AI tools become “10x professionals”—those who achieve ten times the impact of their peers. Rather than being mere consumers of AI applications, Ng believes that learning to code enables people to harness AI effectively.
“The best way for many people to accomplish this is not to be just consumers of AI applications, but to learn enough coding to use AI-assisted coding tools effectively,” he writes.
Ng also addresses a common concern: job displacement by AI. His advice?
“Learn about AI and take control of it, because one of the most important skills in the future will be the ability to tell a computer exactly what you want, so it can do that for you.” Coding, or directing AI to code, is the key to mastering this skill.
The Language of Software: A Universal Skill
Ng illustrates the value of coding with a personal anecdote from developing his course Generative AI for Everyone. When creating AI-generated artwork, he collaborated with an art history expert who used precise terminology—rooted in historical styles, palettes, and artist inspirations—to prompt Midjourney effectively.
Ng’s own attempts, lacking this “language of art,” fell short. Similarly, he argues that professionals across fields—scientists, analysts, marketers, and more—can achieve better results with AI tools if they understand the “language of software” through coding.
“People who understand the language of software through their knowledge of coding can tell an LLM or an AI-enabled IDE what they want much more precisely, and get much better results,” Ng explains.
Why Now Is the Best Time to Learn to Code
Far from being obsolete, coding is more relevant than ever. As AI tools make programming more intuitive, Ng sees this as the ideal moment to dive in.
“As these tools continue to make coding easier, this is the best time yet to learn to code, to learn the language of software, and learn to make computers do exactly what you want them to do,” he concludes.
Andrew Ng’s message is clear: don’t listen to those who say coding is dead. Instead, embrace it as a gateway to mastering AI and amplifying your impact in any field. By learning to code, you’re not just keeping up with technology—you’re positioning yourself to shape the future.
So, whether you’re a student, a professional, or a curious beginner, now is the time to start coding and unlock the power of the language of software.
More from
Skills For Future
category
Stay Ahead with the future of AI.
Join 1000+ readers.