Is It Still Worth Learning to Code with the Introduction of AI?
AI has taken over the globe in so many different aspects, but especially when it comes to coding, learning to code, and becoming a software developer. 2023 was a BIG year for the introduction of many new AI tools, which has left many begging the question… Is it still worth learning to code in 2024?
My simple answer? YES! I think you should still learn to code in 2024 even with AI becoming more powerful.
Hey, I get it, I understand the worry of not wanting to learn to code with the introduction of AI, given that AI can produce code snippets in virtually all programming languages with a simple prompt request from any human.
Aha! that’s the key though, humans ultimately, are behind making sure AI is producing the right answers for the right tools. But first, let’s validate the number one worry you may be facing when considering learning to code in 2024:
Why would I learn to code if AI can write code for me?
Believe me, you’re not the only one nervous about AI making learning to code obsolete, but let me share why I think you should still learn to code despite the introduction of AI.
AI Can Write Code for You … If you know what you’re asking for
There is no shortcut for learning to code, but AI can be your trusty tutor, your pair-programming partner, and your guideline when it comes to learning to code. But here's the deal – you're the commander, and AI takes cues from you, which means that you have to put in the work to understand a couple of things before you can craft the perfect prompt to let AI really “write code for you”:
What’s the goal? What are you wanting AI to help you accomplish? Are you the architect to an entire web app or are you solving a singular bug? AI won’t know, so it’s up to you, the skilled developer to guide AI in the right direction and provide it the proper context.
Speaking the same language helps! Just like good ol’ Google, a developer’s (ex?) best friend, you have to speak to AI using the right vocabulary in order for it to provide the best results. Imagine walking into a bakery and asking for a bike pump… the vocabulary and context are not aligned. You have to first learn to the proper terminology if you expect AI to accurately help you.
How to learn to code with AI and not against it:
So how do you become a master at communicating with AI to produce the best results? Easy, speak to it like a developer! Let’s take a look at how to do that:
Learn to Code with AI as a tool and not a threat. Code Flight is a self-paced & personalized learn-to-code app that curates a coding curriculum with hands-on practice problems and coding projects. What’s unique about Code Flight is that it integrates AI and provides you with an AI tutor-bot that is trained to be your personal tutor along the way. You’ll learn how to code at your own pace, while achieving your unique goals, and gain experience in using AI as a supplementary resource to your learning, rather than taking the shortcut and letting it do the work for you.
Practice, Practice, Practice! The best way to become a confident developer is by getting your hands on the keyboard, building small projects, implementing new features as you grow, and ultimately, making mistakes! The best way for you to become a developer and speak like a developer is to get your hands dirty with code!
Ask questions! Here’s where AI can really be your best pair-programming buddy! As you’re learning to code you can ask AI to explain to you what you don’t understand in a way that make sense to you! At the end of the day, you’re going to be a better developer if you understand the ins and outs and the whys and hows of every line of code that goes into building larger projects.
Now I got to reverse the question, Do you think it’s still worth it to learn to code despite the introduction of Ai?
