Coding is still important, AI is not taking over everything: Google head of research

In a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves across industries, Yossi Matias, Google’s Head of Research, has suggested that coding remains an essential skill and that AI is far from replacing human developers. Despite the growing use of AI tools to assist in coding tasks, Matias believes that the fundamentals of programming continue to hold significant value, even as new technologies transform the way we work.
Speaking in an interview with Business Insider at Google’s New York office, Matias, who also serves as a Vice President at Google, stressed that learning how to code is more relevant than ever.
“The basic notion of learning the basic disciplines remains as important as ever. Everybody should learn how to code,” Matias said.
His remark comes at a time when there is a growing concern among software engineers and students about the impact of AI on traditional coding roles.
AI technologies such as GitHub Copilot, which assist developers by generating code, have led to predictions that coding jobs may soon be obsolete. Some experts claim that these AI tools can reduce the time spent coding by as much as 70 percent. However, Matias remains confident that AI is not a replacement for human coders.
“AI may assist with certain tasks, especially at the junior level, but it is still not taking over the entire coding process,” he explained. He added that while AI-generated code is now being used widely, it still requires human review and validation.
Matias acknowledged that recent trends in the tech industry have brought challenges, particularly for junior developers who may find it harder to gain the practical experience they need. He noted that AI tools, while helpful, cannot entirely replace the hands-on learning that comes with real-world coding. To support the growth of junior talent, Google has been sponsoring initiatives to help new developers bridge the gap between theory and practice.
The importance of coding, according to Matias, extends beyond the software industry. “Coding is like basic math,” he said, drawing a parallel between the essential role of coding in today’s digital world and the foundational importance of mathematics in everyday life. He stressed that understanding the basics of coding is vital, even for those who don’t aspire to be professional programmers.