Over the last year, both parents (and educators) have had conversations with us about AI. They have expressed concerns about how AI is now writing code, does this make teaching kids coding redundant? It’s easy to understand why these questions are being asked, as recent headlines in the press do appear quite alarming. Here’s a selection:
- Robinhood engineers report how the majority of new code they now deploy is AI-generated, with almost 100% using AI assistants like Copilot (Business Insider).
- Microsoft says AI now writes about 30% of its code which has helped to save $500 million after laying off more than 15,000 employees (Windows Central).
- However, a World Economic Forum–backed study warns that AI tools can slow down some experienced developers by around 20% when working on familiar codebases (Reuters).
So, what is the truth exactly, and does this mean that coding is dead, or is it simply evolving into something new?
At FunTech, we believe that coding is still an essential skill for kids to learn. If we’ve seen anything down the years, it’s that kids that code have a world of opportunities open up for them. Whether that’s in school, a future career, or how they interact with others and gain confidence… coding classes can help with it all.
We truly believe that human creativity still matters and will continue to do so.
But let’s look into whether coding will be replaced with AI in more detail, and why we firmly believe children should still learn to code despite the advent of artificial intelligence. Below we’ve referenced multiple reputable online sources, to see what the world of tech is saying about coding be replaced by AI.
AI is a powerful assistant – but not a replacement for human coders
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and newer “agentic” systems can draft code, suggest fixes, and help debug. A 2023 study found Copilot users completed tasks roughly 56% faster than a control group (UC San Diego).
But more recently, MIT’s METR study showed that experienced coders actually got slower with AI assistance – this was in the main due to the time needed to review and correct AI outputs (Reuters).
And speaking to the Times of India, Bill Gates of Microsoft asserted that despite AI’s advances, programming still demands intuition and judgment that machines can’t match. He had a rather bold view: coding won’t change fundamentally as a profession for at least 100 years (Times of India).
New ways of coding: “vibe coding” and natural‐language prompts
In early 2025, Andrej Karpathy coined the term “vibe coding”, to describe how you can let AI generate code from natural-language prompts, where humans guiding the flow (Wikipedia). By March, even Google’s Sundar Pichai admitted he regularly uses this style in his work (Times of India). This shift is changing how coding happens, but not why we teach it.
Human oversight, creativity, and responsibility still essential
AI-generated code can introduce subtle bugs, security holes, or design flaws. Large projects that are being rolled out into places such as education and health, require real understanding and accountability. A Harvard Graduate School of Education report emphasizes that while AI learning can boost engagement, human guidance remains critical for real learning outcomes. A recent article on Medium by Kevin Dewalt, contained the line:
“AI won’t replace programmers – it will create more demand for them.”
The future: coders become orchestrators and strategists
By 2025, survey data shows 92% of developers in the USA use AI in their workflows. Companies including tech giants to startups are starting to view coders as problem-solvers and orchestrators of AI workflows, not just line-by-line typists.
The Financial Times reports that AI is transforming development roles. Future coders will design systems, set ethical boundaries, and collaborate with machines, rather than being replaced by them (Financial Times).
Why coding education remains vital for kids
- Computational thinking: Learning to code teaches problem-solving, algorithms, and logic which are skills that underpin nearly every job of the future.
- Prompts ≠ understanding: Using AI to generate code is not the same as understanding what that code does, or why it works.
- Digital confidence: Harvard researchers stress that guided, hands-on digital learning boosts confidence and resilience, particularly when AI is part of the picture.
- Human skills still matter: Teamwork, creativity, communication, and ethical judgment – these can’t be automated.
To find out more, please read our blog post containing 13 reasons why kids should learn coding.
A paper from the Raspberry Pi Foundation called “Why kids still need to learn to code in the age of AI” states that coding is a form of digital literacy that empowers young people to shape their future in a tech-driven world (Raspberry Pi Foundation PDF).
Final verdict: Coding evolves – but it’s far from obsolete due to AI
AI enhances coding, it doesn’t erase it. Coders of the future who are the kids learning to code today, will need to understand the building blocks of software, guide AI tools responsibly, and use technology to solve meaningful problems. That’s why learning to code today still offers one of the most powerful ways for kids to think critically, express ideas, and shape their digital world.
At FunTech, we’re embracing this shift. We’re not just teaching coding. We’re preparing kids to thrive in the age of AI.
Want Your Child to Explore Coding and AI?
Check out our latest courses, both during term-time, and school holidays. There’s a large range of coding courses to choose from. If you need help deciding what to choose, please contact us and we can learn more about your child and which course will suit them best.