Programming will remain a human skill despite AI evolution, says Bill Gates

Bill Gates believes AI won’t replace programmers even in the next 100 years, emphasizing that while AI can assist with routine tasks, true software development demands creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving only humans can offer

Even as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes numerous industries, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has firmly stated that programming will remain a fundamentally human activity for decades to come. In recent conversations—including one with The Economic Times and another on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon—Gates said he does not believe AI will replace programmers anytime soon, not even within the next 100 years.

“Writing code isn’t just typing—it’s deep thinking,” Gates emphasized. While acknowledging that AI can assist with routine tasks such as debugging or code suggestions, he underscored that software development requires creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to solve abstract problems—capabilities that remain outside the grasp of machines.

Gates said that the true challenge in programming lies not in syntax but in designing innovative solutions and connecting complex ideas. “No algorithm can match the creative leap of a human coder,” he asserted.

Jobs at crossroads with AI

His comments come as the World Economic Forum projects that AI will displace around 85 million jobs globally by 2030 while simultaneously creating about 97 million new ones. Gates acknowledged the risks associated with AI’s rapid adoption and said he, too, shares concerns about its disruptive potential. However, he maintains that if developed responsibly, AI could improve work-life balance and boost productivity. “We could work shorter weeks or even retire early,” Gates said during a podcast with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath earlier this year, though he added this shift would require society to rethink how we value and utilize time.

Gates also listed three professions he considers resilient to AI disruption: software developers, biologists, and energy experts. These roles, he explained, demand innovation, strategic thinking, and scientific reasoning—skills that remain uniquely human. While AI can help process biological data or optimize energy systems, it cannot yet formulate hypotheses, conduct fieldwork, or navigate real-world uncertainty, according to Gates.

Despite being one of the leading proponents of AI, Gates has remained vocal about its boundaries. “There will always be some things we reserve for ourselves,” he said, adding that the human element—especially in fields like programming—will remain essential far into the future.