As a junior software engineer, the rapid advancements in AI can be intimidating. It’s natural to wonder if our roles will soon be replaced. The progress in generative AI, for instance, has been staggering. Last year, building a full-stack app required a lot of effort, but now it can be done with just one sentence. While this raises concerns about security, code cleanliness, and other issues, it’s hard not to worry about the future of our profession.
However, I believe there are reasons to be optimistic. Firstly, senior and higher-level software engineers are less likely to be replaced, as their expertise and experience are harder to replicate. Junior engineers, on the other hand, might be more vulnerable, but it’s not a done deal yet.
The silver lining is that AI replacing jobs also means AI will create new ones. We’ve seen this pattern before, with the industrial revolution creating new opportunities. It’s essential to stay curious and adapt to the changing landscape.
So, will junior software engineers be replaced by AI in the next 4 years? I don’t think so, but it’s crucial to stay vigilant and focus on developing skills that complement AI capabilities.