“Why should kids learn to code when tools like ChatGPT can write entire programs now?”
This is a question I hear a lot—from parents, students, even professionals. It’s a fair one. With AI tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and Amazon CodeWhisperer writing code, debugging, and even suggesting designs, it feels like we’ve stepped into the future.
But does this mean coding is dead?
Not even close.
The truth is, we’re not witnessing the end of coding. We’re witnessing a transformation. And coding, as a skill, has never been more important—but what we focus on while teaching it needs to evolve. Let’s dive in.
What is Generative AI, and What’s It Doing to Code?
Generative AI has brought a new wave of code generation tools that act like a knowledgeable co-pilot. Imagine a young coder building projects faster and experimenting without fear of getting bogged down by syntax errors!
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that doesn’t just follow instructions—it creates. It can write code, generate content, design interfaces, and more. Unlike traditional AI, which mostly predicts or classifies things based on patterns, generative AI is more like a creative teammate.
In software development, this is huge. Earlier, developers had to write every piece of logic, handle every bug, and run endless tests. Now? AI can assist, co-create, and even suggest better ways to do things.
Think of it like this: coding used to be a solo act. Now it’s turning into a duet—with AI as your sharp, fast-learning partner.
So, Is Learning to Code Still Relevant?
Absolutely yes.
But here's the shift: it’s how and what we teach in coding that needs to change.
Old Focus: Syntax, memorizing functions, writing long lines of code manually.
New Focus: Thinking like a creator. Understanding problems. Designing logic. Giving clear instructions. Reading and improving code that AI helps write.
We don’t need kids (or anyone) to become typing machines—we need them to become thinkers, designers, and builders.
Even if AI writes the code, someone still needs to:
- Know if it’s right.
- Know how to change or adapt it.
- Understand why it works.
- Catch and correct when it doesn’t.
Teaching kids to code now is like teaching them to speak the language of technology—not to become translators, but to become authors of the future.
What’s Changing in Software Development?
Generative AI tools are changing the way developers work. Here’s what’s new:
Code Generation Gets Easier
AI tools act like co-pilots—suggesting code, helping fix errors, and making it easier for beginners to build projects confidently.Smart Code Review
AI scans your code, points out what’s inefficient, and suggests faster, cleaner ways to do things.Testing on Autopilot
Writing tests used to be boring and time-consuming. Now, AI helps generate them automatically and finds bugs before you even run your program.Design Help
Whether you’re building an app or planning system architecture, AI can give design recommendations based on best practices—making even complex ideas easier to build.
This means even a student in grade 7 can now explore real-world projects that used to be reserved for experienced engineers.
One truth stands out:
"AI won’t replace developers—but developers who use AI will replace those who don’t."
The Human Touch Still Matters
Let’s be real—AI is powerful, but it’s not perfect.
- It can produce biased or unsafe code if trained on biased data.
- It doesn’t understand problems the way humans do.
- It can’t replace real curiosity, creativity, or empathy.
The real value lies in partnership. Humans + AI > either one alone.
So instead of fearing the rise of AI, the smarter approach is to learn how to work with it—just like we once learned to use calculators, spreadsheets, or design software. It’s another tool in our belt, not a replacement for our brain.
What Should Kids Focus on When Learning to Code?
If you’re a parent wondering what your child should be learning now, here’s our take at 10xTechClub:
Problem Solving – Understanding the why behind what they build.
Design Thinking – Creating things that are useful and user-friendly.
Logic and Structure – Knowing how code flows, even if AI helps write it.
Debugging and Analysis – Catching errors, asking “what went wrong?” and fixing it.
Creativity with Tech – Using code + AI to build things they care about—games, apps, robots, tools, anything!
We want our students to become creators, not just consumers.
Final Thoughts: A New Era Begins
Coding is not ending. It’s evolving.
Generative AI is not taking coding away from us—it’s giving us a head start. It’s taking care of the heavy lifting so we can focus on the real magic: solving problems, building cool things, and changing the world.
For students, this is a golden age. With the right mindset and guidance, they’re not just future-ready—they’re future-shaping.
So, the next time someone says, “AI can write the code now,” just smile and say:
“Exactly. And I turn that code into impact, innovation, and the next big thing.”
Written with love by someone who’s seen the industry evolve for 25+ years and believes that kids are not just the future—they are the present. Let’s empower them, not limit them.
