AI-Native Code: Will Developers Need to Reskill?

AI in programming isn’t a new phenomenon, but it has come a long way. We've all seen it evolve from simple code suggestion or debugging tools to systems that can now basically self-generate entire projects. Gartner’s prediction that we’re heading toward AI writing most software code seems like a natural progression to me. But let’s be clear: this shift isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about fundamentally changing how we work.?

I like to think of AI as the ultimate pair programmer -?an?“always-on” assistant that works alongside you, speeding up planning, coding, and debugging. And while this transformation is already happening, it’s not as revolutionary as some might think. It’s more like the next logical step in a long history of technological advancements in software development.?

AI Is Already Changing How We Work?

AI has been part of programming for years. At first, it could only autocomplete variable names. Now? It can write entire functions, heck – even full projects. Today’s AI tools don’t just help with writing code; they also assist with architecture, suggesting the best libraries or frameworks and optimizing performance.?

It’s a shift from simply writing lines of code to solving problems in smarter, faster ways. Basically, it accelerates development cycles, eliminates silly syntax errors, and lets developers focus on solving bigger problems. It's not necessarily about actually writing code – rather, making the entire process smoother.?

Do Developers Really Need to Reskill??

There’s been a lot of talk about the need for massive reskilling in the tech industry. Gartner claims that 80% of engineers will need to reskill by 2027. I don’t buy that number, to be honest. Frankly, I think 80% of statistics on the internet are made up, and are just published to generate headlines. Here’s the thing: working with AI doesn’t require reskilling. It’s simply a new way of working.?

The core principles of system design, computer science, and mathematics do not change. What changes is just the interface. We’ve gone from punch cards to text editors to IDEs, and now to AI-powered tools. Each stage has required adaptation, of course, but it hasn’t rewritten the rules of programming. Reskilling isn’t the right word. This is about learning to use a new tool and adding it to your arsenal – not throwing out everything you know. Developers who understand the fundamentals will adapt naturally because the tool is an extension of their skills, not a replacement.?

The Upsides (and Very Few Downsides)?

I’ll be blunt: I only see upsides to AI writing most software code. It’s faster, cheaper, and free from the kinds of errors humans make – no forgotten semicolons, no syntax issues. AI can even maintain 100% test coverage automatically, something most human developers can only dream of. Of course, AI isn’t perfect. It can still hallucinate, produce bugs or suboptimal solutions, but let’s not pretend human developers are immune to these problems – especially late into the night.?

The real difference is that AI makes it easier and faster to spot and fix those mistakes.?Most of the time in software development isn’t spent writing code – it’s spent solving problems, planning architecture, and designing systems. That’s where developers (the human ones) bring the most value. As developers, our job is to embrace these changes, adapt our workflows, and stay sharp. The fundamentals haven’t changed, and they won’t. But the way we apply them will, and it's going to be a win for everyone. It’s not about losing control of the code; it’s about gaining time to focus on what matters: building solutions that make a difference.

Dyninno Group , Trevolution Group