Microsoft said learning to code remains important despite the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in software development. Microsoft Learn, the company’s training and certification platform, recently addressed students questioning whether coding remains worth learning, saying: “If you’re wondering whether it’s still worth learning how to code, the answer is: Now more than ever.”
The statement comes as AI tools increasingly write software code across the technology industry, raising questions about the future role of human developers.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella previously stated that 20% to 30% of the code in Microsoft repositories was generated by AI. Microsoft's chief technology officer, Kevin Scott, estimated that all code would be generated by AI by 2030.
According to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, 75% of new code at Google has been created using AI and approved by engineers. It increased from 50% last autumn.
Even Anthropic reported a higher percentage of code generated by AI, with AI-generated code exceeding 90%. This development in AI coding is creating confusion among students and potential software developers regarding the future of programming skills.
Although AI can produce code rapidly, it is also essential that developers have an understanding of what the code produced by AI will do, as well as whether the code solves the required problem.
With AI handling the coding, programmers will no longer need to memorize programming syntax. Instead, understanding of the system and problem-solving will take priority.
The shift therefore points towards a change in the role of developers rather than the disappearance of coding as a skill.
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AI coding tools are already widely used by developers. Stack Overflow’s developer survey found that 62% of developers used AI coding tools daily, compared with 44% the previous year.
Microsoft Learn continues to provide free structured learning paths covering programming languages and technologies including Python, C# and cloud development.
For students considering whether to learn programming, Microsoft’s message offers a clear answer. Coding remains relevant, but how developers use their programming skills is changing as AI becomes a larger part of software development.