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Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt says AI now writes code he never could, but still wants young people to learn programming. Here is what he means, and what it means for you.
Eric Schmidt Says Future Programmers Will Be Architects, Not Builders: What It Means For Coding Careers
Eric Schmidt, who ran Google from 2001 to 2011, has a striking message for programmers: the job is changing, and fast.
In a new episode of Blackstone’s “Inside Blackstone” podcast, the 71-year-old said he was one of the best programmers of his generation, but that today’s AI coding tools write code beyond what he could manage even at his peak. Speaking about the code AI now produces, he said, “I can’t write that code.” He went as far as to say “My field is over”. blackstonejingletree
From builders to architects
Schmidt explained the shift using a house analogy. In his era, programmers had to build the house themselves, brick by brick. The next generation, he said, will be the architects: people who clearly describe what they want and direct AI to build it.
This builds on comments he made earlier this year, when he said top engineers increasingly act as directors of AI systems. In that view, a programmer’s main job becomes framing the problem correctly, writing clear specifications and checking whether the AI’s output is right.
But he still says learn to code
Despite the dramatic language, Schmidt is not telling young people to skip programming. He still advises them to learn it, because understanding code helps people give AI tools precise instructions and judge whether the results are correct.
This is already happening
The shift is visible at some AI companies. At Daytona, a 30-person AI startup, each of its 16 engineers manages an average of five AI agents, and no one there writes code anymore, according to its CEO.
What it means for students and professionals in India
India has one of the world’s largest pools of software engineers and computer science students, so changes like this matter here. Schmidt’s comments suggest the most valuable skills may shift towards:
- Problem-solving: Breaking down what needs to be built and why.
- Clear communication: Describing requirements precisely, for both people and AI tools.
- Reviewing and testing: Spotting errors, security gaps and poor design in AI-written code.
- Domain knowledge: Understanding the industry the software is built for, such as finance, healthcare or retail.
A note of caution
Not everyone agrees with Schmidt’s view. Critics argue that AI-written code still needs careful human review, and that predictions about the end of programming have been made before. What seems clear is that the role is evolving, not disappearing overnight.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt stated that the role of programmers is shifting from builders who write code brick by brick to architects who direct AI to build it. While today’s AI tools write code beyond what he could manage at his peak, he still advises learning programming to provide precise instructions and judge AI outputs.
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Mayank Jha is a technology and AI contributor with a background in communications, digital storytelling and consumer tech writing. He writes about artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, smart…Read More
Delhi, India, India
October 04, 2026, 16:07 IST
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