According to a study by Forbes, it is possible that AI chatbot ChatGPT could replace software developer jobs in specific fields like web development, coding, and programming. The report suggests that around 300 million tech jobs could potentially be automated by AI software. Additionally, it estimates that by 2023, approximately 23% of jobs within China’s financial sector will be taken over by AI. The scenario brings us to question if AI will really replace human developers.
However, not all areas of software development are suited to ChatGPT’s capabilities. Experienced developers possess the expertise to identify potential issues that may elude ChatGPT. Also, integrating ChatGPT into large codebases, typically entrusted to seasoned programmers, remains a challenge. While some companies have reported cost savings through its usage, the question of whether this technology can entirely replace human software developers is still subject to debate. Want more insight? Keep reading as we discuss everything related to this topic.
Generative AI - Pros and Cons
In this section, we will give the advantages and disadvantages of Generative AI. We will provide information about its potential while addressing the ethical and practical challenges it brings forth.
Pros | Cons |
Capable of producing high-quality natural language text | Requires significant computational resources and specialized hardware |
Can help save time and reduce human error by proposing code logic and structures | Cannot replace human judgment for concise and optimized code |
Can learn from large volumes of code and adapt to different programming languages | It may generate code that is not optimized for performance or has security vulnerabilities |
It can be used for automated code review, generation, and testing | Does not understand the intent of the code, may produce robotic content |
Models can be fine-tuned for specific programming domains, improving performance. | May produce code that is not maintainable or scalable |
Can learn from human feedback and refine code generation. | Not a solution for all coding problems; it requires human intervention |
Are human developers better than generative AI?
While generative AI has the advantage of quickly producing code and content, humans play a crucial role in reviewing and optimizing it. Human developers are known for their ability to deliver accurate and bug-free results, whereas generative AI excels in suggesting unique possibilities. The creative expertise lies with humans, while generative AI shines when trained on massive datasets. But which is better? The following table will help you in understanding it.
Aspect | Human Software Developers | ChatGPT |
Learning Programming Languages | Human software developers have to learn programming languages from scratch. | ChatGPT does not actually learn computer languages. Its creators program it at OpenAI. |
Debugging Code | Human software developers can manually debug code to identify and fix issues. | ChatGPT cannot actually debug code. It generates code based on its training data and AI model. |
Usage of Real Tools | Human software developers use real tools like VSCode, GitHub, and other development tools in their workflow. | ChatGPT does not use real tools as it is an AI chatbot without an actual interface or ability to interact with external tools. |
Proficiency | Humans who work as software engineers take time to become proficient in a programming language through practice and experience. | ChatGPT does not become more proficient over time. Its capabilities are static and determined by its initial programming and training. |
Solving Complex Problems | Human software developers can solve complex programming problems through understanding, knowledge, and problem-solving skills. | ChatGPT has limitations in solving complex programming problems due to its lack of competitive understanding[. |
Project Duration | Remote software engineers can work on a project for a long period based on its scale and requirements. | ChatGPT has a short attention span and cannot work on a project for a long time. |
Explaining Code | Human software developers can explain their code and problem-solving approaches in detail based on their understanding and experience. | ChatGPT cannot actually explain its code or problem-solving in depth due to its lack of true understanding. |
Accountability | Programmers are responsible for their work, the code they write, and its impact on the overall project. | ChatGPT is not accountable for its work as it is an AI system that generates responses based on its training data and AI model. |
Will Generative AI snatch jobs?
AI is capable of snatching your jobs. It is observed that educated, white-collar workers are more susceptible to automation. In the United States, there were 3,900 job losses in May 2023 directly linked to AI. Furthermore, approximately 80% of the country’s workforce can expect at least a 10% effect on their tasks due to AI.
AI in Marketing and Advertising has an adoption rate of over 37%. This is because 81% of office workers believe AI enhances their job performance. However, concerns regarding job replacement by AI are widespread. A majority (over 50%) of people aged 18 to 24 express worries about job loss due to AI in the marketing sector, while approximately 30% of workers fear automation of their work like remote front-end jobs and software developer jobs.
Despite all the concerns, AI is also expected to create jobs. Four UK industries are expected to see a net job gain due to AI, and 64% of managers and executives plan to hire more professionals to fill AI roles. 72% of companies already using AI believe it will make their jobs easier, and AI is expected to create 97 million new jobs by 2025.
Conclusion
AI can certainly automate tasks, enhance efficiency and optimize quality assurance. However, when it comes to software development, a unique level of creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking is required — something that machines are unable to replicate. This is where aspiring developers come in! They prioritize in-depth understanding and staying ahead of the latest technology.
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