Why AI Can't Replace Software Engineers: It's Not What You Think

You might be thinking, that technical fields must be the first to become vulnerable to AI as it becomes more capable and advanced. But you need to realize that engineering is more than just code or building circuits; it is inherently a creative field and exists solely to solve problems and make life easier for humans. AI can create good automation, but it can’t come up with creative ideas to solve problems. Don’t believe me? Ask any chatbot to come up with funny jokes or ideas for your next startup. That's why AI companies encourage people to create original content for training their models.

The same goes for coding. You might have heard podcasters saying, “Well, if you think AI can’t replace you, you are stupid!” But when you narrow down to any specific skill, like coding, you’ll see the problems developers face while using these tools. If you’re a developer actively using AI to carry out tasks, you’re likely to have very low familiarity with the codebase. This is a big problem—it can cause more issues than there were in the first place. It’s like patching the codebase again and again with hacks just to get the work done.

Legacy code and infrastructure

Imagine asking AI to write a whole business layer that adheres to complex rules. Programmers know why this is laughable! Not every company is starting to write code today, right? Companies and projects have massive amounts of legacy code, departments with different workflows, and tons of context. These edge cases and nuanced details are where AI struggles. Humans excel at interpreting client or user needs and deciding what is necessary and how to proceed.

Refactoring legacy code doesn’t just require syntax knowledge—it demands an understanding of historical events in an organization and, at times, undocumented features and decisions. AI often fails to interpret this properly, whether it involves outdated libraries or someone else’s coding habits.

No-code tools

In recent years, we’ve seen some cool and useful no-code tools, which undeniably make it possible for small businesses and entrepreneurs to bring their visions to life without needing developers. But as niche features or specific use cases arise, there comes a point when these tools fall short, and developers need to step in.

That’s why even new startups hire developers. Visionary CEOs can’t just ask AI what to do. Without knowing what to ask, how to fix it, or how to verify it, these tools become obsolete.

Catching trends

Every day, new AI-powered editors and tools are being introduced. There’s nothing wrong with that. Kudos to the developers building these tools to make our lives easier! But as a developer, you are one of the few people who must stay updated on changing events and continuously search for better solutions to solve problems.

It’s 2025 and…

I hate to say it, but the models we have today are nowhere near capable of solving real-world problems. Even if, in a few years, companies invest billions of dollars into AI development and it gets better, it will only lead to one thing—more products and projects for companies and human engineers to maintain.

And don’t forget how long it takes for companies to make decisions. Think about how long it takes an organization to catch up to the “Tech Twitter” level. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Sure, it can influence stock prices, but it doesn’t change the pace of adoption or development in the average codebase.

Some developers will become obsolete

Looking ahead 10 years, if you don’t dive deeper into your craft—if you remain just a React script kiddy without understanding the basics of how things work under the hood—there’s a high chance you’ll become obsolete. Some developers want things to stay the same, but like life, they won’t.

So what must be done?

The first thing you need to do is enjoy what you’re doing. Get curious about the inner workings of things. Being genuinely interested in how things function will put you in a far better position. Go beyond the basics. You need to get your hands dirty and keep an open mind to change.

Competence and confidence in your skills come from repetitions—writing the same code over and over again, practicing in different environments, and solving problems with your own hands, without external support.

Know your code editor. Know your system. Explore things outside your domain. Try different things—build new projects, self-host something, wipe your system and automate its installation, build an SMTP server, write blogs, explore Web3. The sky’s the limit.

As repetitive tasks become automated by AI, the demand for skilled, talented, and competent developers will only rise. It’s your choice whether to stay at the top or live in constant fear of becoming obsolete.

Remember, you’re not competing with AI. You’re competing with the developers who will persevere and thrive, no matter what.

Originally posted on medium.com.