Beyond Code: The Future Engineer in the Age of AI

Introduction

In 2001, Professor Raymond Fu told his students, “In the future, every job will be a programming job.”
Fast forward to 2025, and the CEO of GitHub says, “The future of programming is natural language.”
The professor’s vision is becoming reality, but not in the way he imagined.

This raises an important question: If AI can write code, is it still worth becoming a software engineer?

Software Engineering is More Than Code

Raymond Fu’s answer is yes. Software engineering has never been just about typing lines of code. It is about:

• Understanding what users truly need
• Collaborating across multiple roles and teams
• Making thoughtful decisions with empathy and responsibility

As Fu says, “The best engineers are not the ones who code the fastest, but the ones who think the deepest.”
A great engineer takes complex, messy problems, breaks them into manageable parts, and guides both people and machines toward meaningful outcomes.

Skills for the Future Engineer

To thrive in the AI era, software engineers need to focus on:

• Mastering the foundations such as data structures, algorithms, and core programming concepts
• Thinking like an architect to design reliable, scalable systems
• Going full stack by learning design, product, data, and project management
• Practicing strong communication and collaboration
• Using AI as a partner for brainstorming and problem-solving
• Staying adaptable because tools change, but principles remain
• Committing to lifelong learning

Software Engineering as Leadership

In the age of AI, software engineering becomes a foundation for leadership.
Developers are bridge builders — connecting tools, teams, and disciplines.
They are leaders who guide both humans and AI toward shared goals.

The engineers who succeed will be those who can blend technical expertise with human-centered thinking, adaptability, and vision.

Conclusion

AI may change how code is written, but it cannot replace the role of a thoughtful engineer.
The future belongs to those who combine deep technical understanding with creativity, empathy, and leadership.

The question is not whether to become a software engineer, but how to become the kind of engineer who thrives in this new landscape.

📌 Source: Learning Software Engineering During the Era of AI | Raymond Fu | TEDxCSTU