TALKSHOW “WILL AI REPLACE PROGRAMMERS?”: MASTERING AI TO GAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE IN THE DIGITAL ERA

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and its growing impact on the Information Technology industry, the question, “Will AI replace programmers?” has attracted significant attention. To provide practical insights from businesses and help learners better understand the role of AI, the Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association Training Center (HCA) organized a talkshow on this topic on July 10. The event attracted lecturers, students, and professionals working in software development, offering valuable insights into AI’s impact on the programming industry and the essential skills needed to adapt in the new technological era.

Opening the program, Ms. Dinh Thi Tuyet Trinh, Director of the HCA Training Center, shared the Center’s vision of aligning education with industry needs, focusing on emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and software development. The talkshow also examined the impact of AI on the programming profession and explored how AI can be applied in software development, helping participants understand that AI is a tool for enhancing productivity rather than a complete replacement for programmers.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Cuong, Training Director of Alta Software, shared that AI has become an effective tool for programmers, supporting tasks such as code generation, software testing, debugging, and workflow automation. However, AI cannot replace human capabilities in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and system design. One of the key messages of the talkshow was that AI will not replace programmers – it will replace those who do not know how to leverage AI. This reflects today’s hiring trend, where companies increasingly seek professionals who possess both strong technical expertise and the ability to effectively utilize AI.

The open and engaging discussions transformed the talkshow into a platform connecting academia, industry, and learners. Many students actively raised questions about recruitment trends, the skills required for future careers, and how to effectively leverage AI in both their studies and professional work.

Through practical insights shared by the speakers and guest experts, participants gained a deeper understanding of the evolving demands of the job market, enabling them to build learning pathways and career development plans that align with the growing integration of AI across the Information Technology industry.

A key highlight of the talkshow was the hands-on session on applying AI in programming, where participants experienced how to create effective prompts, analyze programming tasks, review AI-generated code, and optimize the results. Through this practical experience, the program reinforced that while AI can significantly enhance productivity, programmers still need strong logical thinking, a solid understanding of the underlying problems, and must remain responsible for the quality, security, and overall value of the software they develop.

Concluding the event, the talkshow “Will AI Replace Programmers?” did not seek to provide a definitive answer to a question that has attracted widespread attention. Instead, it offered a more practical perspective on how AI is transforming the programming profession. While AI will continue to reshape the way programmers learn, work, and develop their careers, it is ultimately problem-solving skills, a strong technical foundation, and the ability to effectively leverage AI that will create a sustainable competitive advantage.

The talkshow helped many students gain a new perspective on AI, recognizing that it is not a competitor to programmers but a powerful tool for improving productivity and enhancing creativity. Following the event, many participants expressed their interest in learning more about effective prompt engineering, strengthening their problem-solving skills, and deepening their technical knowledge to better meet the evolving demands of the industry. In addition, participants’ feedback on improving audio quality and extending the discussion and Q&A sessions will serve as valuable input for the organizing committee to further enhance future programs, delivering more practical and meaningful learning experiences.

With its commitment to aligning education with the evolving needs of businesses, the Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association Training Center (HCA) will continue to organize talkshows, workshops, and hands-on training programs to support students and IT professionals in adapting to emerging technology trends and preparing for the ever-changing demands of the job market.