AI is changing developer careers—here’s how to stay ahead
You don’t need to out-code AI. You need to out-think it.
AI is making junior developer jobs disappear
According to a recent survey, 42% of people believe junior developers are “f*cked” because of AI.
That's harsh, but it reflects reality.
AI tools are spreading rapidly:
JPMorgan reports a 20% boost in developer productivity
At Google, 25% of all new code is now written by AI
As a developer, this means one thing:
It’s no longer enough to just write code.
You need to think beyond it.
So what’s next?
There’s only one way forward: focus on the skills AI can’t replace.
When I mentored my first junior developers years ago, I focused mainly on how well they could code.
Today, that’s not enough.
Companies now look for engineers who:
Understand systems
Communicate clearly
Think through trade-offs
Can review AI-generated code and spot the gaps
The bar has shifted—and it’s not going back.
Try the L.E.A.D. approach
If you want to stay competitive and stand out in today’s rough job market, use this:
L – Learn how systems work
Go beyond syntax. Ask why something is built the way it is. Understand architecture, not just isolated features.
E – Explain your thinking
Whether in pull requests, design docs, or meetings—clarity builds trust. Start communicating your reasoning, not just writing code.
A – Assess AI output
Don’t just use AI—work with it. Treat it like a junior teammate who is helpful, but far from perfect. Know what to double-check because you’re still responsible for the quality of what gets shipped.
D – Drive improvements
If you spot something inefficient, speak up—and offer a solution. Great engineers don’t just improve their own tasks, they improve how the team works.
You can start now
You’re probably already using Copilot, ChatGPT, or something similar.
So this week, try this:
👉 Pick one AI-generated suggestion (even a simple one).
→ Review it as if you were a team lead.
→ Would you approve it? Why or why not?
That’s how you develop the skill that matters most: judgment.
AI may write the code.
But you decide what gets built—and how to build it well.
You’re not competing with AI.
You’re learning to lead in a world where it’s part of the team.
Cheers,
Gábor