Will AI Replace Programmers? Zoho CEO Reveals Risks and Solutions
2026-09-23
Will AI replace programmers?
Sridhar Vembu's memorial highlights a more immediate issue: engineers can lose their understanding of the software when all the work is handed over to AI.
The ability to generate code does not address who understands, checks, and is responsible for the results.
Zoho's founder and Chief Scientist reminded engineers to embrace AI without sacrificing their technical understanding.
His statement is relevant toAI era programmerwho are required to work quickly at the same time maintain application quality.
Key Takeaways
Vembu supports the use of AI, but warns of a loss of understanding when engineers rely too heavily on tools.
AI-generated code and testing still require human review.
The future of programmers demands the ability to formulate problems, evaluate solutions, and be accountable for decisions.
Zoho Boss Warning: Use AI, Maintain Insight
Illustration | Source: AI
ThePrint on September 22, 2026 reported Vembu's response to an engineer's post about using Claude Code almost throughout the development process.
The work includes specifications, code, testing, product requirements documents, and reports.
The engineer admitted that his team was working 12–13 hours a day with pressure to continue submit results, but lack the time to learn the code.
These experiences are individual testimonials, not research that represents all AI-using companies.
Vembu's message in discussionChoose AIthis is maintaining technical mastery.
It worrying that the industry is adopting new tools faster than it can understand the consequences of using those tools.
For readers who follow tech CEOs' opinions on AI, Vembu's department needs Zoho stated that he would transition to Chief Scientist in 2025, while Shailesh Kumar Davey would take over as CEO.
Read Also: GPT-5.6 Sol vs Claude Fable 5: Which is Best for Coding?
Will AI Replace Developers or Change Their Jobs?
The news does not prove that AI replaces developers in a way comprehensive.
What is apparent is that automation is taking up more and more of the work, while humans continue to face issues of understanding and oversight.
Term AI programs often describes a system capable of generating code.
However, software development also involves defining requirements, design compromises, handling failures, and communicating with users.
As an illustration, AI can help create payment features.
Engineers still need to ensure what happens when a transaction is interrupted, a request is sent twice, or a user accesses someone else's data.
Therefore, the discussion of future software engineers needs to pay attention to the ability to assess automation results.
The amount of code generated does not indicate that the application meets actual needs.
Read Also:What Is GitHub Copilot? How It Works, Subscription Prices, and Examples of Trading Bots
Risks of Coding with AI to Watch Out For
The first risk is accepting an answer that seems convincing without checking its implementation.
GitHub warns that Copilot's code may contain errors and security issues, so it should be reviewed and tested before use.
The next risk arises when AI creates code and tests it at the same time.
The tests may not cover all scenarios, the GitHub documentation asks users to review the results and add necessary tests.
There is also the organizational issue: the time saved throughAI codingcan be replaced immediately with higher delivery targets.
In the cases reported by ThePrint, the lack of space to understand the results was a major part of the engineers' complaints.
The following comparison translates these issues into workflow choices:
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Programmer Skills Needed in the AI Era
Is learning to code still important?
Yes, because understanding the code is required for evaluate AI output.
The fundamentals of algorithms, data structures, databases, and execution flows help engineers explain why a solution works or fails.
Debugging skills also need to be trained.
For example, before asking AI to fix an error, a programmer can reproduce the problem, examine the logs, and then develop a testable cause.
For developers who getdelicioussoftware engineer AI, the ability to compile evaluationsas important as creating instructions.
Success criteria should stem from product needs, not simply whether the answer matches the prompt.
Communication complements technical skills.
Engineers need to explain the limitations of the solution, the consequences of changes, and why a feature is not yet release-worthy.
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How Programmers Can Deal with AI Without Losing Control
Get started coding with AI from tasks with clear boundaries.
Determine the expected behavior,request sufficient changes, then verify the results through testing and code reading.
GitHub guidelines emphasize functional inspection, static analysis, and human oversight in automated code reviews.
Search Best AI coding tools should consider ease of reviewing changes, access control, and project fit.
Follow latest AI technology remains useful, but changing tools does not replace the habit of verifying results.
The future of programmers cannot be confirmed through one upload or one model capabilities.
The practical response is to leverage automation while maintaining the ability to work when AI results are wrong.
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FAQ
Will AI replace programmers?
AI can automate some tasks, but this source does not prove the replacement of the entire programming profession.
What is Sridhar Vembu's message about AI coding?
Use AI while maintaining a technical understanding of the work produced.
Is learning to code still important?
Yes. Programming fundamentals help check, correct, and explain AI-generated code.
What skills do programmers need in the AI era?
Troubleshooting, debugging, system design, testing, security, and communication of requirements.
How do programmers deal with AI?
Use AI for measurable tasks, review the changes, and ensure the results meet requirements before release.
Disclaimer: The views expressed belong exclusively to the author and do not reflect the views of this platform. This platform and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or suitability of the information provided. It is for informational purposes only and not intended as financial or investment advice.
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