Why is it necessary to learn programming in the age of AI

Talai Jumabaev, founder of GrowthHungry

Programming is not just a skill for writing code. It is a brain trainer that teaches us to think structurally and efficiently. The essence lies not in what you do, but in how you do it. The same task can be solved in a huge number of ways. Moreover, these methods can differ significantly in cost, time investment, and complexity.

Programming develops problem-solving skills, teaches you to ask the right questions, and find optimal solutions. It is not the only way, but, in my experience, one of the most effective ways to enhance your thinking, which will be useful to you in the long term, regardless of what you do. It is a universal skill applicable in many areas of life and business.

Currently, a productive person armed with AI and programming skills can single-handedly create a company worth tens of millions of dollars. In the coming years, the first unicorn with only one employee is expected. In this company, all processes will be automated by AI agents.

Artificial intelligence truly democratizes many processes, making them accessible to everyone. But at the same time, it increases the gap between productive and unproductive people.

To test this theory in practice, we conducted an experiment: we organized two interviews for three candidates. The first was a traditional technical interview. The second was also technical, but candidates were allowed to use artificial intelligence without limits. The results were as expected. Candidates who performed better in the first interview, with the help of AI, showed a more structured approach to problem-solving, formulated questions better, and used the capabilities of artificial intelligence more effectively.

It is important to understand that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human intelligence. The ability to correctly use this tool, direct it, and interpret results is what is truly valuable. And it is programming that teaches us this best.

At Google, where I worked, they always valued not so much knowledge of specific programming languages, but the ability to think algorithmically, find non-standard, optimal solutions, and interact effectively in a team. These skills remain in demand in the AI era.

Do not be afraid to learn programming, even if you do not plan to become a professional developer. This skill will expand your horizons, develop your thinking, and make you more competitive in any field. In the AI era, the winner is not the one who knows more, but the one who can think more effectively and use available tools.