READING
1. Read the first part of the text and choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D)
Do developers still need to learn programming
languages in the age of AI?
The impact of generative AI and low-code/no-code tools
STORY BY Elaine Burke
If, as a software developer, you want to know what the most popular or best-
paid programming languages are in the industry right now, there’s always a constant
stream of surveys and reports to let you know. And career advice for developers will
typically recommend that constant learning on the job is essential.
But if AI can produce code from a few plain-speaking prompts, has learning programming
languages become redundant?
Certainly, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes that future generations won’t need to learn
programming languages at all. “It is our job to create computing technology such that
nobody has to program and the programming language is human. Everybody in the world
is now a programmer,” he said at the World Government Summit in Dubai. “For the very
first time, you can imagine everybody in your company being a technologist.”
Along with AI, this future Huang envisions is being helped along by the spread of low-code
and no-code tools, which aren’t just being used by non-developers. Research by
Forrester finds that 87% of enterprise developers are using low-code development
platforms, driving substantial projected growth in this market.
But Huang’s forecast of a programming-free future should be taken with a pinch of salt. It
benefits Nvidia to keep the AI hype machine running at full throttle, but programming has
persisted through decades of automation technologies. In fact, code-generators have been
in development as long as computer science itself.
________________________________________________________________________
Josefina Neder
1. What is the main concern addressed in the text?
A The declining relevance of programming languages due to AI advancements.
B The importance of constant learning for software developers.
C The potential threat of AI replacing human developers.
D The increasing popularity of low-code and no-code tools.
2. What does Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang think about the future of programming
……languages?
A Future generations will need to learn more diverse programming languages.
B The demand for programming languages will remain constant despite technological
……advancements.
C Programming languages will become obsolete due to the advancements in AI.
D Programming languages will be replaced by spoken languages for coding purposes.
3. How are low-code and no-code tools impacting software development?
A They are primarily used by non-developers.
B They are being embraced by enterprise developers too.
C They are predicted to replace traditional coding entirely.
D Half of enterprise developers use low-code development platforms.
4. What is one of the arguments against Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s forecast?
A The reliance on code-generators has a long history in computer science.
B The lack of practical applications fr AI in programming.
C The reluctance of developers to adopt new technologies.
D The decreasing demand for programming skills in the job market.
2. Read the second part of the text. Five sentences have been removed. For
each question, choose the correct answer. There are two extra sentences
which you do not need to use.
Paving the way for generative AI
Tools using predictive models based on neural networks entered the fray in the ’90s,
typically used to detect problems in code using pattern recognition. This has paved the
way for the generative AI tools that we have today, from ChatGPT to GitHub’s Copilot, and
everything in between.
As generative AI tools start to make their way into the software development process, it
remains important for developers to keep up to date with these new trends and
technologies. But if AI is intended to be an assistant, it means the developer should be the
more qualified of this pairing. (1) B: To excel in the future of software development, you
need to know more than the bots.
Emerging research is looking at AI’s impact on education. Instructors for a computer
science course at Harvard who experimented with a virtual AI coding assistant for
students were careful to ensure the chatbot wouldn’t simply spout out answers to queries,
but guide students on how to discover the solution for themselves, as a tutor would. (2) E:
Josefina Neder
Because, if you just turn to AI for answers, you won’t learn the process and develop a
foundational understanding of coding.
Further research from GitHub on how developers are using its Copilot tools found that, on
average, tasks can be completed up to 55% faster when assisted by AI. It has been
suggested that this time saved could give developers the opportunity to learn the ins and
outs of even more languages and frameworks — expanding their knowledge of
programming languages, rather than limiting it.
There are also new skills to learn for AI-assisted development. (3) A: Prompt engineering,
for example, can benefit a developer’s broader communication skills. If you can craft clear
and direct instructions for your AI assistant, you will in turn learn to communicate clearly to
your colleagues.
Some employers are even hiring full-time prompt engineers, such as a role at Dell which
involves developing and optimising effective prompts for various generative AI applications
— and it still requires fluency in Python.
Developers will also still be required to conduct code reviews, and this will be different
from reviewing the code of their colleagues. (4) C: AI-generated code will likely have less
predictable errors, requiring a more thorough approach.
In short, developers need not be threatened by no-coders and can actually benefit from
the shortcuts these technologies allow. For years, coding has been shifting to becoming
more accessible — just look at the popularity of more user-friendly languages such
as Python, for example. With an AI helper at hand, developers may not need to memorise
syntax and structures anymore, but they will still need to understand it when it comes to
oversight.
Think of it as the tinkerer versus the expert. You can get someone who’s handy to fix your
washing machine, or even learn to do it yourself from YouTube, but you can also hire a
professional for the guarantee of a job well executed, and many people continue to do so.
However, some businesses will take the opportunity AI presents to do more with less, be
that less time or fewer developers. (5) F: The number of developer roles in the job market
is likely to shrink, especially for those who only have coding in their toolbox. Junior
positions, especially, are likely to see less demand.
If you’re a junior developer in the industry now, it could be time to level up and futureproof
your role. French IT multinational Atos is currently looking for a tech lead who can work
alongside low-code technologies, while a senior software architect role at Dataport is an
opportunity to put creative problem-solving and communication skills into action.
If it turns out it’s wrong to advocate for continued learning in software development and the
industry does indeed leave the languages to the bots, these will be valuable, transferable
skills for any future role.
________________________________________________________________________
Josefina Neder
(A) Prompt engineering, for example, can benefit a developer’s broader communication skills.
(B) To excel in the future of software development, you need to know more than the bots.
(C) AI-generated code will likely have less predictable errors, requiring a more thorough approach.
(D) If developers use AI, they will become coding experts instantly.
(E) Because, if you just turn to AI for answers, you won’t learn the process and develop a ……
foundational understanding of coding.
(F) The number of developer roles in the job market is likely to shrink, especially for those who
……only have coding in their toolbox.
(G) But using tools in software development is counterproductive and should be avoided by all
……developers.
GRAMMAR PRACTICE: Passive Voice
Re-write the following sentences using passive voice structures.
1. Non-developers are using low-code and no-code tools.
Low-code and no-code tools are being used by non-developers.
2. We should take a programming-free future with a pinch of salt.
A programming-free future should be taken with a pinch of salt.
3. Jansen Huang made the forecast.
The forecast was made by Jensen Huang.
4. Future generations won’t need to learn programming languages.
Programming languages won’t be needed / won’t need to be learnt.
5. AI tools have assisted the software development process.
The software development process has been assisted by AI tools.
6. Enterprise developers embrace these advancements.
These advancements are embraced by enterprise developers.
SPEAKING (DISCUSSION)
1. What are some potential benefits of using AI in different fields (healthcare, education,
…….transportation)?
2. Do you think that AI has more benefits or drawbacks?
3. Do you think robots could become our friends?
4. What jobs might AI do better than humans in the future?
5. Do you think it’s important for people to learn about AI?
Josefina Neder
