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Title: Microsoft: Computer Programming Is Dying, Long Live AI Literacy

Link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/02/27/1335...

theodp writes: On Tuesday, Microsoft GM of Education and Workforce Policy
(and former Code.org Chief Academic Officer) Pat Yongpradit posted an
obituary of sorts for coders. "Computer programmers and software developers
are codified differently in the BLS [Bureau of Labor Statistics] data,"
Yongpradit wrote. "The modern AI-infused world needs less computer
programmers (coders) and more software developers (more holistic and higher
level). So when folks say that there is less hiring of computer programmers,
they are right. But there will be more hiring of software developers,
especially those who have adopted an AI-forward mindset and skillset. [...]
The number of just pure computer programming roles has already been declining
due to reasons like outsourcing, AI will just accelerate the decline." On
Wednesday, Yongpradit's colleague Allyson Knox, Senior Director of Education
and Workforce Policy at Microsoft, put another AI nail in the coder coffin,
testifying before the House Committee on Education -- the Workforce
Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education on
Building an AI-ready America: Teaching in the Age of AI. "Thank you to
Chairman Tim Walberg, Ranking Member Bobby Scott, Chair Kevin Kiley, Ranking
Member Suzanne Bonamici and members of the Subcommittee for the opportunity
to share Microsoft perspective and that of the educators and parents we hear
from every day across the country," Knox wrote in a LinkedIn post. "Three
themes continue to emerge throughout these discussions: 1. Educators want
support to build AI literacy and critical thinking skills. 2. Schools need
guidance and guardrails to ensure student data is protected and adults remain
in control. 3. Teachers want classroom-ready tools, and a voice in shaping
them. If we focus on these priorities, we can help ensure AI expands
opportunity for every student across the United States." Yongpradit and Knox
report up to Microsoft President Brad Smith, who last July told Code.org CEO
Hadi Partovi it was time for the tech-backed nonprofit to "switch hats" from
coding to AI as Microsoft announced a new $4 billion initiative to advance AI
education. Smith's thoughts on the extraordinary promise of AI in education
were cited by Knox in her 2026 Congressional testimony. Interestingly, Knox
argued for the importance of computer programming literacy in her 2013
Congressional testimony at a hearing on Our Nation of Builders: Training the
Builders of the Future. "Congress needs to come up with fresh ideas on how we
can continue to train the next generation of builders, programmers,
manufacturers, technicians and entrepreneurs," said Rep. Lee Terry said to
open the discussion. So, are reports of computer programming's imminent death
greatly exaggerated?

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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