AI in software engineering is here to stay. If you’re someone who’s considering a career switch into tech, this might be worrisome, or exciting, or some mixture of both. It might also bring up some questions like: Is learning how to code still relevant in 2025? Is it worth your time to learn this skillset?
The short answer: absolutely. Read below for some reasons why.
Why learning programming is still worth it
The emergence of AI and its growing capabilities are causing shifts and evolutions in tech and beyond. But that isn’t making software engineers obsolete. What’s shifting is how software engineers work, not whether they’re needed at all. AI developments allow engineers to learn faster and be more productive both as they learn, and on the job.
AI isn’t replacing human developers, but it is reshaping their roles
Is AI replacing software engineers completely? No. But the role is shifting and changing right alongside technical advancements. In fact, we recently wrote about a GitClear report titled AI Copilot Code Quality: Evaluating 2024’s Increased Defect Rate via Code Quality Metrics. The report analyzed the quality of 211 million lines of code written with the help of AI code assistants. It found that while these tools can boost short-term productivity, they’re also introducing long-term code quality issues.
So, yes, GitHub Copilot can autocomplete your code, and ChatGPT can debug functions, but building software that lasts and solves real business problems involves much more than writing individual code snippets.
Software engineering includes:
- Translating sometimes vague business requirements into technical solutions
- Designing systems that scale with growing user bases
- Making judgment calls about security versus user experience
AI excels at pattern matching and repetitive tasks, but it struggles with creativity and strategic thinking. And that’s where human engineers shine.
In our coding bootcamps, students learn to work with tools like GitHub Copilot. Our goal is to teach you to become more productive, combining in-demand technical skills with vital human intuition and understanding.
Software engineering’s impact across industries
Software engineering jobs aren’t disappearing en masse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), software developers and similar jobs are projected to grow 17% from 2023 to 2033. On average, there will be an estimated 140,100 new job openings annually, according to BLS.
Why? Because software powers everything:
- Healthcare systems track patient data and manage tele-health platforms
- Banks build secure mobile apps and fraud detection systems
- Retail companies need apps for e-commerce and inventory management
- Traditional manufacturing relies on IoT sensors and automation
The bottom line is: Businesses need software engineers who understand their specific challenges. AI can’t navigate healthcare regulations or financial compliance requirements. Human engineers bring that contextual expertise, and new engineers need to know how to effectively use AI tools to boost their productivity wherever they’re hired.
Programming training can lead to multiple career paths
Today’s programming skills don’t tie you to a single career path; they can unlock a variety of opportunities across industries. Hack Reactor graduates have gone on to hold a wide range of job titles across diverse fields.
Web & App Development
Whether it’s frontend, backend, or full-stack, web and app development remains an exciting entry point into tech.
Cybersecurity
Companies need security-minded developers. Programming knowledge gives you the foundation to transition into security engineering or compliance roles.
Data Science & Machine Learning
Understanding code lets you work with massive datasets and build predictive models. Coding skills transfer into data analysis and even AI development.
Tech Entrepreneurship
Do you want to launch your own startup or product? Programming empowers you to prototype ideas fast and pivot based on user feedback.
Your future in tech starts now
If you’re ready to make the leap, our coding bootcamps teach you the fundamentals of programming and how to work with AI tools like GitHub Copilot. With 14,000+ graduates working at more than 1,100 companies, we’ve proven that motivated career-changers can succeed in tech, regardless of background.
Apply today for one of Hack Reactor’s coding bootcamps and kickstart your tech career.