AI and coding: How AI is redefining learning to code

An enthusiastic developer graduates from coding bootcamp, and after months of interviews, doesn’t land a single job. I’ve heard this story countless times, but it’s even more common today.

Tech hiring is at a low point, with less than half the job postings we had 2.5 years ago.¹ Right now, companies are prioritizing hiring senior developers — and AI tools are increasingly used to perform tasks typically assigned to junior developers. 

These trends leave many aspiring and junior developers asking: Is it still worth learning to code?

The answer? Absolutely. 

AI isn't replacing any developer — it's an assistant that will help you do more. In fact, by reducing tedium, AI tools will help junior developers make a stronger impact, faster.

That said, AI is changing some realities for junior developers: 

• Bootcamp training is no longer sufficient to be job-ready

• AI is compressing the timeline for juniors to build skills

Today, I'll break down just how AI is impacting junior roles — and how you can prepare to be future-ready in this evolving landscape.

Let's get started.

Will AI replace junior developers?#

First things first: AI can’t replace junior developers. Here's why:

AI requires human supervision#

In a study from Uplevel data labs, a team of developers actually ended up with 41% more bugs when they started using Github Copilot as a coding assistant.^# 

AI tools can't code on their own — they need supervision. There's a reason why only 2.3% of professional developers highly trust AI tools' accuracy (according to the latest Stack Overflow Developer Survey).

Limitations of AI#

AI tools are far from perfect, and suffer from:

• Hallucinations

• Bias off poor training data

• Limited problem-solving abilities

What's more: less than 4% of developers feel AI tools can handle complex tasks well (according to the SO Developer Survey).

Only humans have the depth of knowledge to handle real-world scenarios. Creating innovative, user-centric solutions requires problem-solving and creativity skills, and AI simply can't compare to humans. 

Are software developers in demand?#

The demand for developers isn't dying. 

If AI were replacing developers, why are senior developers so in demand? (Just look at the roles available on LinkedIn). Seniors don’t appear out of thin air — they start as juniors and work their way up. 

AI is creating new opportunities for junior developers who can effectively leverage AI tools. To succeed, junior developers need:

• A strong grasp of programming fundamentals to assess AI-generated code.

• Problem-solving skills to use AI effectively.

Junior developers who can master these skills will remain in demand.

AI and the future of coding bootcamp grads#

AI excels at routine tasks, like fixing bugs or updating UI components — traditionally entry-level work. Meanwhile, strategic tasks requiring problem-solving, System Design, and creative thinking are still better handled by humans.

 As a result, AI creates a divide in junior developers based on training depth:

• Fresh bootcamp grads:

  • Often focus on small, self-contained tasks (e.g., fixing minor bugs or tweaking UI), which AI tools now handle efficiently.

    • Without broader training, they may struggle to debug AI outputs or adapt to more complex, interconnected tasks.

• Junior developers with broader training:

  • Typically work on larger, more nuanced tasks (e.g., integrating third-party services or implementing authentication systems).

    • Their deeper training equips them to guide AI tools effectively.

Bootcamp graduates, while equipped with foundational skills, often lack the depth of training needed to leverage AI for more complex work. In contrast, junior developers with more comprehensive education (e.g., multi-year computer science degrees or internships) are better prepared to take on tasks that AI tools can’t solve on their own.

Five years ago, bootcamp graduates could count on on-the-job experience to round out their skill set. But today, companies expect entry-level developers to arrive ready to hit the ground running, especially when working alongside AI.

This means bootcamp education alone is not enough to prepare developers to enter the workforce.

Bootcamps are still a great way to explore coding and learn foundational skills in a structured program. But to remain competitive in the AI-driven job market, bootcamp graduates must supplement their training with real-world projects, advanced problem-solving practice, and targeted upskilling.

How AI is redefining the role of junior developers#

While the challenges for bootcamp grads are real, AI presents unique opportunities for junior developers to accelerate their growth and tackle higher-level problems earlier in their careers.

By guiding AI tools, junior developers can strengthen both technical and soft skills. For instance:

• Problem-solving: Breaking down tasks into smaller components for AI hones problem-solving abilities.

• Code review: Reviewing and correcting AI-generated code helps solidify technical knowledge.

• Strategic thinking: With AI handling lower-level tasks, junior developers can focus on higher-level concepts like System Design, which enhances their ability to understand how individual tasks fit into larger systems.

• Communication: Prompting AI effectively improves communication. Prompt engineering is an essential skill for a junior developer looking to climb up the career ladder. 

AI isn’t replacing junior developers — it’s pushing them to grow faster and develop the skills needed to thrive in a changing industry.

Become a future-ready junior developer#

Tech hiring may be slow now, but the industry will recover—and new advancements in AI will create even more opportunities for developers. To thrive in the AI era, junior developers need to strengthen their skills and become strategic thinkers. Here’s how:

Master core skills#

• Build a strong foundation in programming fundamentals, data structures, and algorithms.

• Focus on problem-solving by breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable tasks.

Gain proficiency with AI tools#

• Practice working with tools like ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot to debug, write, and refine code.

• Learn prompting best practices: be specific, provide context, and outline clear requirements.

Understand AI basics#

• Familiarize yourself with key AI concepts, such as machine learning and large language models.

• This foundational knowledge will help you work more effectively with AI tools.

Build real-world experience#

• Create a portfolio of personal projects showcasing your ability to integrate AI into development workflows.

• Contribute to open-source projects to practice collaboration and learn modern development practices.

Learn System Design basics#

• AI is compressing the timeline for learning advanced topics. 

• Understanding Advanced System Design will give you an edge and help you grasp the bigger picture in software development.

AI in software development: What’s the future for junior devs?#

AI will become a part of the software development workflow. 

Here's what that will look like for juniors:

1. Break down the problem: Decompose the problem into smaller, function-level tasks before involving AI.

2. Design a modular solution: Plan a solution where individual functions or modules fit together cohesively to solve the problem.

3. Generate code incrementally: Ask AI to create code for each function or module one step at a time.

4. Test each component: Validate the correctness of each function or module before moving to the next.

5. Assemble the solution: Gradually integrate the tested components to build the complete solution.

Final word#

My advice: Keep learning, and ignore the noise!

When self-driving trucks were being introduced, news cycles predicted the death of trucking jobs, but in reality, self-driving technologies haven't replaced truckers' jobs — they've just made trucking safer and less stressful. 

Similarly, AI won’t replace developers — it will complement their work.

It's impossible to know what a junior developer role will look like in 10 years. Despite the uncertainty, I know this for sure: Junior developers will remain in demand — but you need to run fast so you don't fall behind. 

So, focus on what you can control:

• Build your skills in AI-integrated development.

• Strengthen your coding and problem-solving skills.

• Develop strategic thinking.

Keep your head down and ignore the noise. This industry isn't going anywhere.

And if you're a beginner learning to code, start using AI to your advantage with Educative's new course: Learn to Code with AI.