What Happens to Software Developers as AI Can Code?

Sanjit Singh, a U.S. software analyst at Morgan Stanley, discusses how AI is transforming the software industry and its implications for developers. He explains that while AI coding assistants are increasing productivity and code volume, they are not replacing human developers. Instead, AI is redefining developer roles, freeing them from routine tasks to focus on problem-solving, architecture, and review. The software development market is projected to grow significantly, with the developer population expected to increase, as AI lowers the barrier to entry and expands the scope of projects. However, AI-generated code introduces new bottlenecks, such as increased code review demands and overwhelmed automated testing systems. The future involves an integrated approach where AI and human developers collaborate, with AI automating more of the software development lifecycle beyond just coding, while humans retain oversight and decision-making roles. The core message is that the demand for skilled developers will evolve, emphasizing collaboration between humans and AI.