ChatGPT Will Replace Junior Developers?
By Amy Li | Apr, 2023
Many people are concerned about losing their junior developer jobs due to the emergence of ChatGPT. However, the argument that there will be no senior without junior makes it impossible for ChatGPT to replace junior developers entirely.
Despite that, let’s explore ChatGPT's programming skills and the realities in the software industry that junior developers should be mindful of.
The Potential of ChatGPT in Software Engineering
ChatGPT has impressive programming skills, which include:
- The ability to create a template page using specific techniques
- The ability to translate a hand-writing mock-up for a website to code
- The ability to create enticing web content, which eliminates the need to hire an expensive web content creator
- The ability to generate a virtual Linux terminal for you
- The ability to explain some code in plain English
However, only programmers can make the best of ChatGPT for programming work. So, at least, programmers don’t need to worry that non-programmers will use ChatGPT to compete with them. Nonetheless, programmers who use AI technology will be the ones to succeed in the future programming-related work.
Juniors should note that if they lack working experience with ChatGPT, they will not be competitive candidates. ChatGPT is changing how developers approach their work, and junior developers need to work alongside ChatGPT to remain competitive in the job market.
The Realities in the Software Industry
It’s often hard to find your first developer job. The start is the hardest part. But once you land a junior position, you are on the path to becoming a senior developer.
Unfortunately, most companies don’t want to invest in juniors. They would rather hire an expensive senior to hire multiple juniors.
Juniors are usually assigned some simple tasks to make room for seniors to solve important and hard problems. Similarly, a company can operate with only senior developers who can solve sophisticated problems in various situations.
ChatGPT comes with a change in developers’ working style in which developers rely more on ChatGPT instead of Google and StackOverflow. Companies would prefer hiring developers who are both good at solving programming problems and working with ChatGPT.
Even senior developers who don’t know how to empower their work with ChatGPT will inevitably have career crises. Therefore, developers who work together with ChatGPT will have more opportunities in their careers.
Developers are still necessary for software engineering, but ChatGPT will change how developers approach their work.
