How AI is turning everyone into a developer (sort of)

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Remember when coding was considered a mysterious art, practiced only by those willing to spend years learning cryptic languages? Those days are rapidly fading.

Thanks to AI, anyone with an idea and determination can now build software, though as many businesses are discovering, working with an experienced offshore software development company remains crucial for serious projects.

The numbers are staggering. According to Stack Overflow’s 2024 Developer Survey, 76% of developers are now using or planning to use AI tools in their development process, up from 70% the previous year.

But what’s more interesting is who’s using these tools – increasingly, it’s people who’ve never written a line of code before.

But there’s a catch that every new AI coder discovers – what developers call “the 70% problem.”

While AI can help you quickly build a basic working version of almost anything, that last 30% often proves surprisingly challenging; it’s the difference between a proof of concept and a production-ready application.

Here’s what AI is great at:

• Generating basic code structures
• Helping with routine programming tasks
• Explaining technical concepts in plain English
• Debugging simple problems

And here’s where it still struggles:

• Complex system architecture
• Security considerations
• Performance optimization
• Integration with legacy systems

This new reality is creating an interesting dynamic in the software development world.

While AI tools like GitHub Copilot (which has seen over 80% adoption rates with a 96% success rate in enterprise settings according to GitHub’s research with Accenture) are making coding more accessible, they’re also redefining the role of professional developers rather than replacing them.

This shift has important implications for businesses.

While AI can help internal teams prototype and build simple tools, complex projects still benefit from professional expertise. The key is knowing which approach makes sense for your specific needs.

For instance, a small business might use AI to build a simple internal tool. Still, when it comes to customer-facing applications or systems handling sensitive data, professional development teams remain essential.

These teams now use AI to work more efficiently while applying their expertise to ensure security, scalability, and maintainability.

The future of software development isn’t about AI replacing human developers – it’s about finding the right balance between AI-assisted coding and professional expertise.

As we move forward, successful organizations will understand how to leverage both effectively.

For individuals interested in exploring AI-assisted development, here are some tips to get started:

• Begin with small, well-defined projects
• Take time to understand the code AI generates
• Use AI as a learning tool, not just a code generator
• Know when to seek professional help for complex features

The democratization of coding through AI is an exciting development, but like many technological advances, it’s not a complete solution.

Instead, it’s creating new opportunities while reinforcing the value of professional expertise in different ways.

As we continue into 2025 and beyond, the question isn’t whether AI will replace developers, but how we can best combine AI’s capabilities with human expertise to build better software more efficiently.

The answer likely lies in understanding that while AI can make everyone a coder, building great software takes more than just code.

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