Should you study programming in the age of AI?

Panic in the neighborhood, or "AI took my job (no)"

You go into any thread about programming training and there will definitely be the same commentator:

"Why learn to code when ChatGPT will do everything for you? The profession is already dead, bro."

After 5 seconds, the second one appears:

"Yes, I asked ChatGPT to write a simple CRUD on React, and it came up with this... After three hours of editing, I rewrote it myself."

And the third, mandatory:

"Senior with 10 years of experience, AI has doubled my productivity. The best partner in life."

So who is right? Let's look at the numbers, not the memes on Twitter.

Figures that make you think

AI is really taking over development

According to RUSSOFT:

• 45,4% of Russian IT companies use generative AI in development

• The amount of work performed by AI has increased 10 times per year

"That's it, RIP programmer career."

Wait, let's read on.

Vacancies: yes, it's more difficult, but...

GitHub Copilot: Your new colleague, not a replacement

This is where the fun begins.

Incredible usage statistics:

• 20 million developers use Copilot (400% growth per year)

• Copilot writes on average 46% of the code users

• Java developers reach 61% code

• Tasks are performed on 55% faster

• 88% generated code remains in the final version

The most important thing:

• 81% developers install Copilot on the day they gain access

• 96% start using offers on the same day

• More than 50% continue to use long-term

"Well, there you go! AI does everything by itself!"

Stop. And now the million-dollar question: WHO checks this 46% of the code? Who decides whether to accept Copilot's proposal or rewrite it? Who sees that the code works technically but does not solve the business problem?

Correct. A developer who understands the code.

AI makes coding training EASIER, not useless

Paradox: learning code has become easier, not more difficult. Here's why:

1. AI as a personal mentor 24/7

Previously:

• You read the documentation for 3 hours

• You google "how to..."

• Waiting for an answer on Stack Overflow

• You write to a friend: "Bro, how does it work?"

Now:

• You ask ChatGPT: "Explain async/await to me as if I were 5 years old"

• You get an explanation with examples

• You ask to show in practice

• Ask clarifying questions

The speed of training has increased significantly. Especially for beginners who used to drown in documentation.

2. From "writing code" to "understanding code"

New reality:
June 2020: I write all the code manually, 80% of the time on syntax
June 2025: AI generates the blank, I focus on logic and architecture

Training has shifted from mechanics on understandingAnd this, suddenly, makes programmers better, and not worse.

3. The market requires understanding, not copy-paste

Quote from the study:

"The popularity of AI is growing steadily. However, AI code generation is a tool for specialists who can understand and correct the result. The code may work technically, but it does not solve the business problem."

Translation: AI doesn't need juniors who copy and paste. AI needs middles and seniors who understand what they are doing.

But you know what? These middles and seniors were once juniors. And they still learned the code.

Speaking of practice and training...

Do you know what distinguishes a developer who has just read a tutorial from someone who really knows how to code? Practice. Tons of practice.

And here it is important not just to write code, but to do it systemically and with feedback.

That's why we created Code - an application where you can learn programming not just by reading the theory, but solving real problems. Every day. In small steps. With instant verification.

Why Kodik in the AI era?

Because AI can write code for you, but understanding will come only through practice. In the Codex:

• Hundreds of tasks from simple to complex

• Step-by-step explanations

• Instant verification of solutions

• Tracks in different languages and technologies

And we also have Telegram channel with 2000+ developers, where:

• Useful posts about programming are coming out

• Let's analyze current technologies

• We share our experience and solve problems together

• This is the perfect place to repeat the material in a convenient format

Life hack: Even 15 minutes of practice per day through Kodik + reading posts in the Telegram channel = you are progressing faster than 90% of students. Tested on the experience of thousands of users.

The ultimate truth

AI does not kill the profession of a programmer

He evolves it.

Previously: write code → get paid

Now: understand code, architecture, business logic → direct AI → get a big salary

Verdict: Learn code in 2026?

YES, BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

• Less focus on syntax → more on concepts

• Less "how to write" → more "how it works"

• Less copy-paste → more understanding

• AI as an assistant → you as an architect

By 2028 90% developers will use AI assistants (Gartner forecast).

The question is not whether to use AI.

The question is, WHO will be the specialist who knows how to use it correctly.

Start learning now. With or without AI, the development skill is not going anywhere. It will just become even more valuable.

Good luck with your training, future colleagues! 🚀