Coding in an AI world
I resonated strongly with the recent article “AI is more likely to cause a labor shortage,” (Nov. 27, page 7) especially the part expressing concern that students would miss out on basic skills while educators are still unsure of how to teach in a world dominated by artificial intelligence (AI).
As a student majoring in computer science, I see the erosion of fundamentals every day. Seeing astonishing cases of “vibe coding” makes me worry: If AI can code faster and better, what is the point of learning to code?
I do see educators trying to adapt. In my department, Python is now a required class. Some professors have begun allowing AI, but only if students can explain the problems they encounter and how AI helped address it. This shows that universities are still searching for a balance between foundational skills and AI-assisted learning.
My own experience illustrates why basics still matter. When I lazily threw the entirety of a complex project at an AI tool and asked it to debug everything, the results were unhelpful. Then I traced the code with AI’s assistance, understood the logic myself, identified the possible source of the issue and asked AI for help. The solution became clear immediately.
AI can only amplify my understanding, not replace it. This is why I believe education should neither ban AI nor condone it. Instead, schools should continue enhancing students’ fundamental skills while training us to use AI critically and wisely. Only with these essential abilities can we recognize the mistakes AI inevitably makes and ensure that we remain the ones in control of our own thinking.
Chen Yu-ching
Hsinchu City
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