Yes, and
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Learning to code remains valuable despite AI, but juniors must write code to stay in control.
Carson Gross argues coding fundamentals-problem-solving and complexity control-will stay relevant, even as AI changes the field. He warns juniors not to rely on AI for code generation, which prevents developing the reading skills needed to avoid the 'Sorcerer's Apprentice Trap.' He disagrees that coding-to-prompting resembles assembly-to-high-level languages, citing LLMs' non-determinism and accidental complexity. While raw coding may lose relative value, communication, business understanding, and system architecture skills will grow in importance. Juniors must write code and companies should let them. For job seekers, he recommends networking through family and friends rather than online job sites.
What commenters are saying
The thread splits between those who agree that writing code is essential for comprehension and those who see AI's rapid improvement as making coding a poor investment. A [1] comment suggests learning to bridge industries with AI instead. Others debate whether reading code is a distinct skill from writing, with some noting that reading large codebases is learned on the job. A junior-friendly pro-tip: building and releasing useful things yourself works as networking. Counter-point: networking assumes privilege; new graduates need food now. Some argue AI's ability to read and debug code means reading skills may atrophy, like cabbies after GPS.