GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke has issued a strong warning to software developers: they must embrace artificial intelligence (AI) or leave the profession. His message reflects how AI is reshaping software development, transforming developers from traditional coders into “AI managers” or “creative directors of code” who guide, prompt, and review AI-generated code rather than manually writing every line themselves.
Dohmke’s stance is based on an in-depth study by GitHub involving 22 developers who already extensively use AI tools. He predicts that AI could write up to 90% of all code within the next two to five years, making AI proficiency essential for career survival in software engineering. Developers who adapt are shifting to higher-level roles involving system architecture, critical review of AI output, quality control, and prompt engineering. Those who resist this transformation risk becoming obsolete or forced to leave the field.
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This evolution entails a fundamental reinvention of the developer role: from manual coding to managing AI systems and focusing on complex design and problem-solving tasks. Dohmke emphasizes that developers should not see AI as a threat but as a collaborative partner that enhances productivity and creativity.
GitHub’s CEO frames AI adoption not merely as a technological shift but as a critical career imperative, urging the developer community to embrace AI-driven workflows or face obsolescence.
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