The rise of AI-assisted coding tools has triggered a wave of fear among junior programmers, and it’s not entirely unfounded. By 2035, the landscape of software development will look radically different. But “different” doesn’t automatically mean “empty of humans.” The truth is more nuanced than the doomsday headlines suggest.
Large language models have already taken over many of the tasks beginners traditionally handled: writing boilerplate code, debugging simple functions, generating documentation, translating between languages, and even scaffolding entire applications. Ten years ago, companies hired beginners to do exactly these things. Today, AI can perform them in seconds.
This means one hard reality: a noticeable portion of entry-level programming roles will shrink—not disappear completely, but become far more competitive. Companies simply won’t need as many junior developers to produce the same output. The pressure will be strongest in areas like front-end templating, CRUD applications, basic scripting, and low-complexity automation.
But here’s where the story changes direction. AI is excellent at writing code; it’s not excellent at understanding ambiguous requirements, designing robust systems, or navigating messy real-world constraints. By 2035, programming won’t vanish—it will shift upward. Junior developers who rely only on syntax knowledge will struggle, while those who develop strong problem-solving, system thinking, and product mindset will thrive.
Instead of replacing programmers, AI will absorb the shallow parts of the job. Humans will move toward higher-level tasks: architecture, quality assurance, domain-driven design, security thinking, and supervising AI-generated code. The best programmers will be the ones who treat AI like a collaborator, not a competitor.
Will many “beginner-only” programmers be squeezed out? Yes. Will programming jobs disappear? No. They will evolve into AI-guided engineering roles, where understanding the problem matters more than typing the solution.
The path forward is clear: learn AI tools, build depth in one domain, and stay adaptable. The programmers who grow alongside AI won’t just survive the next decade—they’ll define it.
Top comments (1)
This is a really important question many junior programmers are asking. While AI will undoubtedly change the landscape, it's more likely to augment rather than fully replace. Focusing on unique human skills and adapting to new tools will be key. Our platform explores these shifts and helps identify AI-resistant career paths