Why kids should still learn programming in the age of AI
“ChatGPT can build a game in seconds. Will spending months learning programming be useful for my child’s future?” – This is one of the most common questions parents ask us at codePannu. Parents invest considerable time, money, and effort into helping their children learn skills that will remain valuable in the future. So, as AI tools become more capable, it is natural for them to wonder whether programming is still one of those skills.
At codePannu, we believe that AI has changed how programming knowledge is used, but it has not removed the need for programming fundamentals. Before AI, the focus was on writing code. Today, the focus is increasingly shifting towards reading, understanding, evaluating, and improving AI generated code. Whether code is written by a person or generated by AI, someone still needs to verify that it solves the intended problem and fix it when it does not.
This is why we believe programming remains an important skill for children to learn in the age of AI. We have explained some of the reasons below.
Understanding AI Generated Code
We would like to explain by making a comparison with speech writing. AI can generate a speech within seconds, but a speaker can improve that speech only if they understand what was written.
This understanding helps them identify mistakes, improve sentences, and ensure that the speech communicates what they intend to say. Without understanding, it is difficult to judge whether the speech accurately reflects their thoughts.
Programming works in a similar way. AI can generate code, but students who understand programming are better equipped to read the code, understand its logic, and determine whether it performs the intended task.
In the age of AI, understanding a solution is becoming more important than simply producing one.
Modifying AI Generated Solutions
Understanding a solution is often the first step. Improving it is the next.
AI generated code is rarely perfect on the first attempt. Features may need to be added, requirements may change, or parts of the solution may need improvement. Students who understand programming are better equipped to make these changes. They can modify the code directly or provide more specific instructions to the AI to generate a better solution.
This ability comes from understanding how the code works and how different parts of a program interact with one another.
Identifying Missing Requirements
AI generated solutions are not always complete. Important requirements may be overlooked, special situations may not be considered, or parts of the solution may be missing altogether.
Students who understand programming are better equipped to review a solution and identify these gaps. They can evaluate whether all requirements have been addressed and recognize where further improvements are needed.
In many cases, knowing what is missing is just as important as understanding what is already present.
Understanding and Fixing Problems
Even when AI generates code successfully, the resulting program may not produce the desired output.
Students who understand programming are better equipped to investigate why something is not working as expected. They can identify the source of the problem, understand its cause, and make appropriate changes. This process, commonly known as debugging, remains an important skill even in the age of AI.
AI has made it easier to generate code, but it has not removed the need to understand it.
At codePannu, we believe that children who understand programming will be better equipped to work with AI, evaluate its outputs, improve its solutions, and solve problems when things do not go as expected. Technology will continue to change, but the ability to understand a solution before improving it will remain valuable.
After all, people can only change what they understand.
At codePannu, every step we take leads back to one goal. Building skills that last!
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