Coding used to be a super-power
In Pixar's beloved film "The Incredibles," the villainous Syndrome delivers a line that is unexpectedly insightful: "When everyone's super, no one will be." This statement, although spoken by a fictional character in a children's movie, perfectly encapsulates the evolution of coding and software development in our modern world.
There was a time when those of us proficient in coding thought of ourselves as superheroes. We possessed special abilities, unique powers that made us stand out from the crowd. We could create digital worlds, design complex algorithms, and develop applications that others could only dream of.
Just today, I created a convolutional neural network using Python and TensorFlow, developed an iPhone app with Objective C, and built an application using OpenAI APIs with PHP and the SLIM framework. What's extraordinary is that I managed to accomplish all this without having more than a rudimentary understanding of these technologies.
In the past, such feats would have been unthinkable without days, weeks, or even months of laborious coding and debugging. But the field of coding and software development is rapidly evolving, thanks in large part to the arrival of Generative AI.
With the dramatic improvement in code generation capabilities offered by Generative AI, it now feels like everyone has superpowers. Coding is no longer the exclusive domain of the few but a skill that has become commonplace, accessible, and democratized.
However, even as coding loses its 'super' status, it is important to remember that Generative AI is not a magical solution. It will not spontaneously create algorithms that are yet to be invented. This is where the need for a new generation of mathematicians, physicists, and computer scientists becomes palpable. They are the ones who will guide the next wave of innovation and push the boundaries of what is possible.
The downside to this democratization is that entry-level positions for developers are becoming increasingly competitive. Becoming a senior developer, therefore, will be an even greater challenge.
The future will require a select group of individuals, a new elite, who can navigate this ever-evolving landscape and guide the course of innovation. They will be the ones carrying the torch forward, shaping the future of technology, and driving the industry's growth.
In essence, these individuals will become our new superheroes. They will be the ones with the advanced skills and the innovative thinking needed to keep pushing the boundaries and exploring the uncharted territories of coding and technology.
In this sea of commonality, they will be the extraordinary ones, the ones who retain the power to surprise and amaze us with their prowess. And just like in "The Incredibles", they will remind us that while everyone might be super, there will always be those who are a little more 'super' than the rest.
Because when everyone is a super, no one is.
