Computer Programmers

70% (High Risk)

High Risk (61-80%): Jobs in this category face a significant threat from automation, as many of their tasks can be easily automated using current or near-future technologies.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

User poll

Sentiment

The following graph is included wherever there is a substantial amount of votes to render meaningful data. These visual representations display user poll results over time, providing a significant indication of sentiment trends.

Wages

Very high paid relative to other professions

In 2023, the median annual wage for 'Computer Programmers' was $99,700, or $47 per hour

'Computer Programmers' were paid 107.4% higher than the national median wage, which stood at $48,060

Wages over time

Comments

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Swayam Bhowmick (Highly likely) 4 days ago

Everyone who's commenting and judging is basing their judgment on the current state of things. But, the current state is rapidly evolving, and most people are failing to account for the trajectory that the progress of AI is taking. 2 years ago, we were laughing at AI-generated videos of Will Smith eating spaghetti; today, the realism sends shivers down our spines. 2 years ago, AI generated broken code, now, it's capabale of somewhat functional code, replacing junior devs entirely.

Please take into account the trajectory of progress rather than the current state of things.

1 0 Reply

Ab (Highly likely) 7 days ago

It does not require any physical interaction with the real world

1 3 Reply

Habs (Uncertain) 14 days ago

Software development includes understanding requirements and talking to customers (who do not know what they want). My job will be heavily automated but not yet to be fully replaced by AI.

1 2 Reply

Name (Low) 1 month ago

AIs kind of suck at programming and logic they always add more bugs into my code

8 4 Reply

A 17 days ago

Currently. What about in 10 years though

5 0 Reply

John 1 month ago

Just as a few other professions, I’d say it would simply be limited to reducing unspecialized, entry-level positions. Those who find a niche would find that programming with chatbots are like lugging a junior dev that doesn’t learn around.

1 0 Reply

Everyone’s in denial 2 months ago

I am not saying I support the automation of everything, it’s just that in reality no one is safe as it accelerates. This is not just an assistant, nor just a displacement of humans, it is the complete replacement of the human mind. Pandora’s box was opened, now we have no idea if we will enter dystopia or utopia...

8 6 Reply

Jordan 17 days ago

No it is not. LLM's don't replicate how human brains work at all.

1 1 Reply

Tony B (Low) 2 months ago

AI has so far been good for created standard well known solutions. It is not good at all at understanding large amounts of existing code.

7 3 Reply

Jersey Jim 1 month ago

Getting better every week. MCP. Augment Code. LLM rules.

2 1 Reply

Mu (Low) 2 months ago

They will be reduced but not entirely replaced. This can be in ai research to improve the programming or new novel types of Research

1 2 Reply

Jacob (Low) 2 months ago

It will change a sofware engineer is still going to be required to check the code. You aren't going to want this to automated that's crazy.

5 0 Reply

Timothy (Moderate) 3 months ago

"For example, tasks or task components that appeal to capacities in which AI systems excel, will have to be less (or less fully) mastered by people, so that less training will probably be required. AI systems are already much better than people at logically and arithmetically correct gathering (selecting) and processing (weighing, prioritizing, analyzing, combining) large amounts of data. They do this quickly, accurately and reliably. They are also more stable (consistent) than humans, have no stress and emotions and have a great perseverance and a much better retention of knowledge and skills than people. As a machine, they serve people completely and without any “self-interest” or “own hidden agenda.”"

0 0 Reply

Michał (Highly likely) 3 months ago

Without knowing programming at this point you can easily write a good program with the help of AI. I completely agree that this work can be automated.

0 7 Reply

Jordan 17 days ago

There's a serious difference between it works and it works correctly. Without understanding the code and testing it, all you've done is make a polished turd.

0 0 Reply

TAmzid2872 (Uncertain) 4 months ago

Programming isnt just about writing code, its about problem solving

10 0 Reply

Sven H. (Highly likely) 4 months ago

AI can already code extremely well; there will be no need for human programmers in the future.

1 6 Reply

Doubtful (Low) 4 months ago

AI is horrible at following instructions, and bad at understanding architecture. Also, as context grows it tends to forget instructions.

7 1 Reply

Jersey Jim 3 months ago

Model Context Protocol helps give AI better context. AI can work across many files now (way better IDE integration has happened in the past 6 months). The limits of AI have dwindled and will continue to dwindle as time goes on. Vibe coding is now a thing and AI can follow directions to build complete mvp's in under an hour.

0 1 Reply

Jordan 17 days ago

MVPs are not working reliable software that solves a real problem.

0 0 Reply

Michael Bohn (Uncertain) 4 months ago

For the AI to work properly, you need people who know how to write the prompts and how to evaluate the written code.

5 2 Reply

Pavel 4 months ago

But if AI becomes as good as humans then why programmers would be ever needed if not those who work on AI itself? Maybe for some complex and big programms people would still be needed.

0 0 Reply

... 4 months ago

How does this relate to programmers? Programmers program not write prompts. Evaluation to code is already possible

0 0 Reply

J 5 months ago

Robots aint gonna code themselves, if we get to that point then that's Skynet/matrix. Aka end of the world for everyone so who cares

8 2 Reply

PossiblyUnemployed 3 months ago

My worry is if future code-generating models can modify itself or the programs it works on towards a specific goal, sort of like an intelligent self-modifying quine.

0 0 Reply

John pork (No chance) 5 months ago

it is because AI and robots require programming and without programmers, they cannot function

1 2 Reply

PotentiallyJobless 3 months ago

It is true that programmers were necessary to create and train the models, but at this point what may be more necessary is just making sure the systems and hardware that keep the AI running don't malfunction. As it is, modern AI is finding ways to modify itself and its environment.

0 0 Reply

Emy (Highly likely) 5 months ago

Even though programming can demand thinking sometimes, 70% of the work is repetitive or the same across different business. Not only that, but 80% of the time you are not solving any complex problem that demands creativity or deep thinking.

7 3 Reply

Jersey Jim 5 months ago

You can convert from one language to another with AI and a developer is not protected by knowing Java vs C#. This further erodes job protection. Recreating the wheel will drastically stop in programming and I'd imagine known problems will converge to one solution.

0 3 Reply

rick 4 months ago

programming is problem resolution. there is not a single solution. lol.

0 0 Reply

@irton (No chance) 6 months ago

Why do they already develop this, and AI is not smart enough to do more? To complement, it is good.

1 5 Reply

Cessna (Uncertain) 6 months ago

Some AI can program or help a person program like chatgpt

3 2 Reply