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Economic Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Is coding dead or just evolving: As AI takes over keyboards, what's left for human engineers, is the future of coding paradoxical?
iStock While AI now generates 30% of Microsoft's code, Chief Product Officer Aparna Chennapragada argues coding is still crucial—just redefined. Yet with thousands of software engineers laid off, including those who trained AI tools, the tech world is left wondering: is coding thriving in abstraction or quietly being phased out? As Artificial Intelligence strides into every corner of the tech world — now capable of writing 30% of Microsoft's code, a question echoes across developer forums and college campuses: Is coding still worth learning? At first glance, the signs seem ominous. Microsoft, one of the world's biggest tech employers, recently laid off 6,000 employees. A significant portion of them were software engineers. Yet, in an almost paradoxical twist, Microsoft's chief product officer for experiences and devices, Aparna Chennapragada, is urging young professionals not to abandon computer science. On a recent episode of Lenny's Podcast , she made a bold claim: 'Coding is not dead. It's evolving.' The contradictions are hard to ignore. On one hand, Microsoft executives are embracing AI as a transformative force. On the other, headlines shout about mass layoffs. In Washington state alone, over 40% of those laid off were software engineers — the very people helping build and integrate AI into Microsoft's systems. It raises a provocative question: Are coders being asked to build the tools that could render them obsolete? Take Jeff Hulse, a Microsoft vice president who pushed his 400-person team to adopt OpenAI tools to automate as much as 50% of their code. Within weeks, many from that same team were laid off. For those affected, this wasn't just a restructuring — it was a bitter irony. Chennapragada, however, doesn't see this shift as a funeral for coding, but rather a metamorphosis. In her words, 'We've always had higher and higher layers of abstraction in programming.' Coding is no longer about speaking to machines in assembly or even C. It's about instructing at a higher level, often through natural language, with AI bridging the gap. She predicts a shift in roles — not a disappearance. 'Tomorrow's engineers might function more like software operators than traditional developers,' she noted. Think of it as moving from wielding the wrench to managing the entire factory floor with the press of a button. Still, she insists that the foundational knowledge of computer science remains essential. 'It's a mental model — a way of thinking,' she said. 'So I strongly disagree with the idea that 'coding is dead.'' The AI revolution isn't only changing engineering. Project and product managers — once the middlemen of Big Tech's structured layers — are under pressure from what many insiders are calling the 'great flattening.' Chennapragada acknowledges that these roles, too, must adapt. In an AI-driven world teeming with new ideas and prototypes, managers must become more like curators than coordinators. Their job is no longer about moving projects from point A to point B but identifying which ideas rise above the noise. In her words, it's about developing a knack for 'taste-making and editing' — skills that blend creativity, instinct, and clarity amid a flood of innovation. To truly understand the seismic shift underway, consider the experience of a young Google techie who recently posted on X (formerly Twitter). Reflecting on her internships since 2022, she wrote: 'AI can code, build, brainstorm, design, and iterate. Then why do we need software engineers?' Her answer? Abstraction. Three years ago, she had to manually learn every programming language and architecture before solving a single problem. Today, AI takes care of the heavy lifting. Debugging that once took an hour is now done in five minutes with an AI agent. Complex documentation has transformed into interactive podcasts and videos, turning dry technical learning into something bingeable. 'Software engineering is more fun now,' she wrote. 'The boring stuff is abstracted out. All you have is your imagination.' Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has openly stated that in some teams, nearly one-third of all code is generated by AI. It's an impressive feat — or a forewarning, depending on where you stand. The central dilemma remains: If AI is making code faster and cheaper, where does that leave the humans? Are we being elevated to more creative, managerial roles — or slowly coded out of the equation? Aparna Chennapragada believes the former. 'AI is a democratizing force,' she says. But for the thousands now jobless, it's hard not to wonder: Is AI opening doors — or closing them? Either way, one thing is clear. Coding isn't dead. It's just no longer what it used to be.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Is coding dead or just evolving: As AI takes over keyboards, what's left for human engineers, is the future of coding paradoxical?
Is Coding Really Dead? Microsoft's Aparna Chennapragada insists it's not—despite 6,000 layoffs and AI now writing a third of the company's code. As AI revolutionizes development, she says coding is evolving, not disappearing. But for many recently laid-off engineers, that reassurance rings hollow. So, is this the dawn of opportunity or the twilight of coders? While AI now generates 30% of Microsoft's code, Chief Product Officer Aparna Chennapragada argues coding is still crucial—just redefined. Yet with thousands of software engineers laid off, including those who trained AI tools, the tech world is left wondering: is coding thriving in abstraction or quietly being phased out? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The AI Paradox: Writing Code While Writing Off Coders? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A New Era of Code: From Engineers to "Software Operators"? Not Just Engineers — Project Managers Feel the Heat Too One Engineer's Transformation in Three Years Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Future: More Human or More Machine? As Artificial Intelligence strides into every corner of the tech world — now capable of writing 30% of Microsoft's code, a question echoes across developer forums and college campuses: Is coding still worth learning? At first glance, the signs seem ominous. Microsoft, one of the world's biggest tech employers, recently laid off 6,000 employees. A significant portion of them were software in an almost paradoxical twist, Microsoft's chief product officer for experiences and devices, Aparna Chennapragada, is urging young professionals not to abandon computer science. On a recent episode of Lenny's Podcast, she made a bold claim: 'Coding is not dead. It's evolving.'The contradictions are hard to ignore. On one hand, Microsoft executives are embracing AI as a transformative force. On the other, headlines shout about mass layoffs. In Washington state alone, over 40% of those laid off were software engineers — the very people helping build and integrate AI into Microsoft's raises a provocative question: Are coders being asked to build the tools that could render them obsolete?Take Jeff Hulse, a Microsoft vice president who pushed his 400-person team to adopt OpenAI tools to automate as much as 50% of their code. Within weeks, many from that same team were laid off. For those affected, this wasn't just a restructuring — it was a bitter however, doesn't see this shift as a funeral for coding, but rather a metamorphosis. In her words, 'We've always had higher and higher layers of abstraction in programming.' Coding is no longer about speaking to machines in assembly or even C. It's about instructing at a higher level, often through natural language, with AI bridging the predicts a shift in roles — not a disappearance. 'Tomorrow's engineers might function more like software operators than traditional developers,' she noted. Think of it as moving from wielding the wrench to managing the entire factory floor with the press of a she insists that the foundational knowledge of computer science remains essential. 'It's a mental model — a way of thinking,' she said. 'So I strongly disagree with the idea that 'coding is dead.''The AI revolution isn't only changing engineering. Project and product managers — once the middlemen of Big Tech's structured layers — are under pressure from what many insiders are calling the 'great flattening.'Chennapragada acknowledges that these roles, too, must adapt. In an AI-driven world teeming with new ideas and prototypes, managers must become more like curators than coordinators. Their job is no longer about moving projects from point A to point B but identifying which ideas rise above the her words, it's about developing a knack for 'taste-making and editing' — skills that blend creativity, instinct, and clarity amid a flood of truly understand the seismic shift underway, consider the experience of a young Google techie who recently posted on X (formerly Twitter). Reflecting on her internships since 2022, she wrote: 'AI can code, build, brainstorm, design, and iterate. Then why do we need software engineers?'Her answer? years ago, she had to manually learn every programming language and architecture before solving a single problem. Today, AI takes care of the heavy lifting. Debugging that once took an hour is now done in five minutes with an AI agent. Complex documentation has transformed into interactive podcasts and videos, turning dry technical learning into something bingeable.'Software engineering is more fun now,' she wrote. 'The boring stuff is abstracted out. All you have is your imagination.'Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has openly stated that in some teams, nearly one-third of all code is generated by AI. It's an impressive feat — or a forewarning, depending on where you central dilemma remains: If AI is making code faster and cheaper, where does that leave the humans? Are we being elevated to more creative, managerial roles — or slowly coded out of the equation?Aparna Chennapragada believes the former. 'AI is a democratizing force,' she says. But for the thousands now jobless, it's hard not to wonder: Is AI opening doors — or closing them?Either way, one thing is clear. Coding isn't dead. It's just no longer what it used to be.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Siya Kolisi Gets Down in Peru: The Wedding Highlights
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is living his best life and reminding us why he's dubbed the Minister of Enjoyment. While attending his best friend Nicholas Holton's wedding in Peru, Kolisi brought the moves, the grooves, and plenty of South African flair. Siya Kolisi. Picture Instagram From dancing on boats to heartfelt throwbacks, here's how Mzansi's favourite captain turned up in true Kolisi style. ALSO READ:DStv cuts ties with MacG's Podcast and Chill Dance moves and bridal boats It was all vibes and moves when Siya Kolisi touched down in Peru for his best friend Nicholas Holton's wedding. Dressed to the nines and oozing cool, the World Cup-winning Springbok captain was seen leading the bridal party onto a lifeboat, yes, a lifeboat! While dropping his signature South African dance moves that had social media buzzing. Siya Kolisi. Picture: Instagram In an Instagram post captioned 'Thank you, Holtons', Kolisi had his fans in stitches and admiration as he grooved his way across the screen. Later, at the reception, Kolisi even pulled out a classic, dancing to Shakira's 2010 hit Waka Waka, and the comments section was full of love. One follower nailed it: 'Siya is such a happy dude, man.' ALSO READ: Musk's social media platform X, still recovering from major global outage A friendship that changed his life But this wedding wasn't just about turning up, it was deeply personal. Kolisi reflected on his friendship with Nic Holton, a bond that goes back to their time at Grey High School. Nic wasn't just a classmate; he was a lifeline. 'He helped me with my homework, taught me some English, and I taught him a bit of isiXhosa,' Siya once shared. Nic visited Siya in Zwide, played rugby with his local club, and tasted real Kasi life. The respect runs deep, so much so that Siya named his son after Nic. Siya Kolisi and Nic. Picture: Instagram Their brotherhood was also featured in Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story on Showmax, where Siya credits Nic as one of the people who shaped him into the man he is today. Minister of Enjoyment takes on South America Though the wedding was in Peru, Siya also made a stylish detour to the town, and best believe, the Minister of Enjoyment was fully booked and busy! Rocking a bucket hat like a true South African from the Zwide, Siya was seen playing soccer, visiting art galleries like Grada Gallery, and trying out Spanish phrases ('Hola, me llamo Siya!'). Siya Kolisi. Picture: Instagram He took fans along for the ride on Instagram, from trying out local cuisine to navigating the uphill streets of Cusco with classic Xhosa commentary: 'Haai kuyafiwa!' (It's tough!). Always the life of the party True to form, he didn't just show up at the wedding; he showed off, in the best way, joking around with guests, dancing until late, or just spreading positive vibes. Siya made sure the joy was contagious. Even off the rugby field, his leadership and humour shine through. And since his separation from Rachel Kolisi, announced in October 2024, Siya seems to be prioritising time with friends and family, and doing the things that make his heart happy. Wherever Siya goes, the party follows Rugby pitch, a wedding in Peru, or a tourist stroll through Spain, one thing's for sure, Siya Kolisi brings the fun and favour. It's no wonder Mzansi crowned him the Minister of Enjoyment.
India Today
24-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Microsoft exec says coding is not dead after 6,000 layoffs and AI writing 30 per cent of code for the company
While some are ready to declare the death of coding in the age of artificial intelligence, Microsoft's chief product officer of experiences and devices, Aparna Chennapragada, firmly disagrees. In a recent appearance on Lenny's Podcast, Chennapragada pushed back against the notion that computer science is becoming irrelevant, insisting that learning to code is more valuable than ever, even if the way we code is changing. This comes at a time when Microsoft has laid off 6,000 employees and urged its engineers to ramp up the use of AI tools. advertisementMicrosoft chief thinks coding is not dead"A lot of folks think about, 'Oh, don't bother studying computer science or coding is dead,' and I just fundamentally disagree," said Chennapragada. "If anything, I think we've always had higher and higher layers of abstraction in programming."She pointed out that AI is not replacing software engineers, but is instead becoming a part of the natural evolution of software development, the latest in a long history of making code more accessible and high-level. "We don't program in assembly anymore. Most of us don't even program in C," she explained. "And then you're kind of higher and higher layers of abstraction. So to me, there will be ways that you will tell the computer what to do, right? It'll just be at a much higher level of abstraction, which is great. It democratises."advertisement Chennapragada admitted that roles might shift over time, suggesting that tomorrow's engineers may function more like 'software operators' than traditional developers, but she dismissed the idea that the core skills of computer science will vanish."There'll be an order of magnitude more software operators," she said. "Instead of 'SWEs,' maybe we'll have 'SOs,' but that doesn't mean you don't understand computer science. It's a way of thinking, and it's a mental model. So I strongly disagree with the whole, 'Coding is dead.'"The discussion didn't stop at the engineers. Chennapragada also weighed in on the changing role of project managers, who are increasingly feeling the pressure of what's been dubbed Big Tech's 'great flattening' — the broad trimming of middle management layers in tech to her, project managers aren't going anywhere either, but they'll need to adapt. The surge of ideas and prototypes enabled by AI means project managers must sharpen their curatorial instincts."In some sense, if you look at it, there's going to be a massive increase in the supply of ideas and prototypes, which is great," she said. "It raises the floor, but it raises the ceiling as well. In some sense, how do you break out in these times? You have to make sure that this is something that rises above the noise."advertisementShe emphasised the growing importance of what she called 'taste-making and editing' — the ability to filter through an overwhelming volume of creative output to find what's truly valuable. This shift has already started to affect how teams operate, she noted. With AI lowering the barrier to entry for rapid experimentation, Chennapragada has seen teams rely less on managerial laid off 6,000 employees While the Microsoft chief was seen boasting of "AI not replacing software engineers", two days ago, Microsoft laid off 6,000 employees. It is no secret that Microsoft has been among the top big tech companies to lay off thousands of its recent wave of global layoffs has affected around 6,000 employees, but a closer look reveals a stark and troubling pattern. According to internal data reviewed by Bloomberg, over 40 per cent of those laid off in Washington state were software engineers, raising questions about the future of human coders at a company rapidly embracing case in point is Jeff Hulse, a Microsoft vice president overseeing a 400-person engineering team. As The Information reported, Hulse had encouraged his engineers to ramp up their use of OpenAI-powered tools, aiming to generate up to 50 per cent of their code through AI, well above the company's typical 20–30 per cent benchmark. Just weeks later, many of those same engineers were shown the door. The timing is unsettling: were these developers, in effect, building the tools that would ultimately displace them?advertisementCEO Satya Nadella has been vocal about AI's role in transforming productivity at Microsoft, proudly stating that in some projects, nearly a third of the code is now AI-generated. But for the engineers caught in the layoff round, those advances seem more like a corporate trade-off than a technological to Chennapragada's public reassurance that project management roles would remain safe in the age of AI, Microsoft's axe didn't spare them either. Employees in product management and technical programme management, along with some involved in AI initiatives, were hit as well.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
CEO waits until employees are ‘dying' for help before hiring: ‘I want company to be dehydrated'
An AI startup CEO suggested an unusual way of keeping his team efficient, comparing it to a "dehydrated" entity and using hiring as drops of water to help it feel reinvigorated. Varun Mohan, the co-founder and CEO of AI startup Windsurf, says that he wants to keep his company lean and use a small team to fulfill their goals till the members are 'dying' for more help. Mohan's belief is hiring should only happen when "everyone's just almost raising their hands and saying, 'I'm dying, we need one more person." Speaking on an episode of Lenny's Podcast, that features product leaders and experts, Mohan equated his ideal company to a "dehydrated entity". "I want the company to almost be like this dehydrated entity. Every hire is like a little bit of water, and we only go back and hire someone when we're back to being dehydrated. The goal isn't to idolise small teams for the sake of it. It's to be the smallest company we can be to satisfy our ambitions," he said According to Business Insider, investors are now focusing on revenue per employee after several tech companies grew rapidly during the pandemic. If the level of output can be maintained, it is preferred to maintain a smaller team. "If we can crack actually being a fairly sizable company but still operate as if we're a startup, that's the dream," he said, adding that keeping a small team also helps stay away from "weird politics". Currently, Windsurf has 170 employees and has over 30 open roles listed on its website, which include software engineers and recruiters. Windsurf, formerly known as Codeium, is a Silicon Valley startup building AI tools that let developers write code using natural language prompts, a trend dubbed "vibe coding" by OpenAI cofounder Andrej Karpathy. Founded in 2021, Windsurf has raised over $200 million and was valued at $1.25 billion. After excerpts from the podcast were shared on social media, many users were surprised by Varun Mohan's approach to team building, several of them warned of quick burnout due to it. "This causes burnout in your best employees. Not great advice. The problem is that most of the corporate sector follows this advice only. Remote work makes it worse, as no one can see signs of burnout," said one of them. Another accused him of not being good at hiring. "A good CEO or manager would figure it out long before the drowning phase. It's silly virtue signaling that will lead to a tired team unable to work properly. Also, if you're not good at hiring it's just an excuse to be lame and not hire," they said.
