Will AI Replace Software Engineers? What Tech Leaders Really Think

The advent of AI has opened a fierce controversy, Will software engineer jobs become extinct? With AI tools such as GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude writing code at unmatched speeds, many programmers wonder if their abilities will become obsolete in the near future.

But don't panic and think about a career change just yet. Let's see what leading tech executives—from OpenAI's Sam Altman to Google's Sundar Pichai—have to say on the impact of AI on coding careers.

AI as a Productivity Booster (For Now)

Sam Altman (OpenAI): Engineers Will Do More—Until They're Needed Less , Sam Altman opines that AI will not directly replace software engineers but will boost their productivity to a higher level.

"Every software engineer will simply do a whole lot more for a period of time. And then eventually, yeah, sure we do need fewer software engineers."

He also asserts AI already does more than 50% of the coding work in most companies. Next breakthrough? Agentic coding, where AI not only helps but writes and optimizes code on its own.

Sundar Pichai (Google): AI Writes 25% of Google's New Code

Google's CEO reported that over a quarter of new code written at Google is AI-written. But wait—human engineers still check it out.

This implies AI is acting more like a co-pilot, rather than a replacement—at least for the moment.

The Imminent Future: AI Writing Most (or All) Code?

Dario Amodei (Anthropic): 90% AI-Generated Code within 3-6 Months
Anthropic's CEO forecasts near-complete domination:

"In three to six months, AI may be writing 90% of the code. In 12 months, it could be writing basically all of it."

That's a daunting timeline. If correct, junior coders and those who concentrate on boilerplate code may see their positions shrink considerably.

Kevin Weil (OpenAI): "By 2027, AI Will Outcode Humans"

OpenAI Chief Product Officer opines that AI will outrun human coding capabilities earlier than anticipated.

"At the pace we're at, I would be surprised if it's 2027."

But he doesn't believe engineers will disappear—instead, they'll be "managers of AI employees," supervising AI-produced work instead of typing everything from scratch.

The Counterargument: Humans Still Matter

Kevin Scott (Microsoft): AI Will Write 95% of Code, But Humans Solve Hard Problems
Microsoft’s CTO predicts AI will handle 95% of coding in five years. However, he insists that complex problem-solving will remain a human domain.

"If you’re trying to solve the world’s hardest computational problems, you’ll still need computer scientists."

He also sees AI as a great equalizer, enabling small teams to compete with tech giants by automating grunt work.

Bill Gates: Coders Are (Mostly) Safe—For Now

Gates counted software engineers among the "still irreplaceable" professions, in addition to doctors and teachers.

But he concedes AI will ultimately control most industries:

"With AI, great medical advice, great tutoring—those will become free and commonplace."

His perspective? Coding careers will change, not go away.

The New Role of Engineers: Less Coding, More Problem-Solving

Aravind Srinivas (Perplexity): Engineers Will Need "Taste" and Clarity
The CEO of Perplexity contends that writing code by hand will be a thing of the past, but thinking abilities will be more precious than ever.

"People with taste, clarity of thought, and problem-solving skills will really shine in this new era."

Amjad Massad (Replit): "Learning to Code Might Be a Waste of Time"
In one of the most provocative opinions, Replit's CEO proposes:

"In the future, as AI agents become smarter, it will be a waste of time to learn how to program."

Rather, he encourages programmers to work on:

Problem decomposition (decomposing tricky problems)

Clear communication (with humans as well as with AI)

High-level thinking (as opposed to memorizing syntax)

The Bottom Line: Adapt or Get Left Behind

AI is going to shake up software engineering—but not necessarily replace it. Here's what's going to happen:

1. Junior developers and boilerplate coders stand the greatest risk as AI takes over routine work.
2. Senior engineers and architects will prosper by concentrating on design, strategy, and management.
3. Great engineers won't only code—they will be instructing AI to create superior systems.

How to Future-Proof Your Career

Master AI tools (GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude) to remain ahead.

Acquire problem-solving and system design skills—AI can't substitute creativity.

Be an "AI whisperer"—learn to effectively guide AI.

Final Thought: AI Won't Kill Jobs—It'll Redefine Them
The future belongs to engineers who see AI as a teammate, not as a rival.

As Kevin Scott put it: "Small teams are faster than big teams." With AI doing the drudgery, the top developers will concentrate on what really counts—invention.

So, will AI replace software engineers? Not all. But it will compel them to upgrade.

SkillBloomer is the all-in-one platform that helps educators, coaches, and trainers easily build, sell, and grow their online courses. With intuitive tools and smart automation, we make e-learning simple—so you can focus on teaching, not tech. Turn your knowledge into a thriving online business, even if you're not tech-savvy."