Generative AI coding assistants are rapidly taking on tasks traditionally handled by junior software developers, prompting a crucial shift in skill expectations for those entering the field.
According to researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, by 2040, AI could be capable of writing most of its code. They foresee a convergence of machine learning, natural language processing and code-generation technologies, enabling machines to automate entire development workflows over the next two decades.
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AI is already reshaping the software-development landscape. It generates code snippets, automates repetitive tasks, detects and corrects bugs and streamlines DevOps processes. With AI managing these routine chores, developers are free to focus on higher-level challenges such as architecture and system design.
“AI has taken the job of first-level developers,” said Ayokunle Olanirekun, head of IT Support at Xphiz Technologies Limited.
During an interview with BusinessDay at a ‘Legacy Modernisation: Relational to MongoDB’ event in partnership with Tier5 Technologies, he noted that entry-level developers who began with HTML and Python are increasingly sidelined.
“To stay employable, new developers must master advanced data analysis and business-intelligence tools like Power BI,” he stated.
A Gartner report projects that, by 2027, 50 percent of software-engineering organisations will adopt intelligence platforms to measure and enhance developer productivity, up from just 5 percent in 2024. These platforms leverage AI-driven insights to flag inefficiencies, recommend improvements and drive continuous optimisation.
Yet experts emphasise that human developers will remain at the heart of software innovation. McKinsey & Company estimates that up to 80 percent of programming roles will continue to be human-centric, particularly those requiring creative problem-solving, deep domain expertise and strategic vision.
The current job market corroborates this shift. Reports suggest that the most sought-after AI-related positions are data scientist, software engineer and machine learning engineer roles that combine core programming with advanced analytics and modelling.
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One key avenue for upskilling is modern database management. MongoDB, a NoSQL platform, offers a flexible alternative to traditional relational databases and is gaining traction across banking, telecommunications, public sector and oil and gas industries.
“MongoDB’s enterprise and cloud offerings accelerate development and reduce risk,” explained Bolaji Afolabi, sales and business director at Tier5 Technologies. “It’s managed services, support, and training that empower teams to deploy with confidence.”
Samson Abodunrin, senior consulting engineer at MongoDB, added, “Migrating to MongoDB builds confidence, saves time and simplifies third-party tool evaluation.”
As AI continues to evolve, junior developers must embrace lifelong learning, broaden their technical toolkits and view AI as a collaborator rather than a competitor, according to experts.
