#189 Why Coders Might Just be the New Rockstars
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Software development, like many professions, is undergoing a transformation. But it’s not just one transformation—it’s two, and they’re massive.
Since the debut of ChatGPT in 2022, everyone’s been trying to get a slice of the generative AI pie. While most companies are still figuring out how to make AI magic happen, there’s one exception: Programming.
Surveys reveal that almost two-fifths of developers have already found generative AI so handy that they’re using it regularly.
And the second shift? Software engineers from emerging markets are stepping into the global spotlight. As the world flattens in terms of access to learning and technology, more developers are hailing from countries that weren’t traditionally known as tech hubs.
For instance, GitHub’s user base in poorer countries surpassed those in richer countries by 2020. Fast forward a few years, and India is on track to outshine America as the largest pool of programming talent.
But what do these shifts really mean for software development?
The Gold Rush for Software Talent
Software developers are the rockstars of today’s tech-driven world, and companies are paying top dollar to snag them. The median salary of a developer in the U.S. ranks in the top 5% of all professions. Yes, you read that right.
Coders can earn more than nuclear engineers. Why? Companies need them—badly. Tech giants are scrambling to build the next big thing, and non-tech companies are leaning on developers to supercharge their digitization efforts.
The future is shaping up to be filled with more coders doing more productive work—and ultimately, making software cheaper. For companies, it’s a dream. For developers? Well, that’s where things get interesting.
The internet made developers’ lives easier by turning textbooks into an obsolete relic. But Generative AI is like giving every coder their own personal assistant on steroids.
Platforms like Stack Overflow offer vast archives of coding knowledge—ranked and rated—that AI models can gobble up and use to learn. That means AI tools can help developers generate and test code more efficiently than ever before.
Since GitHub, now owned by Microsoft, launched Copilot in 2022, over two million people have signed up for its code-generating capabilities. And it’s not just the small fish using it; 90% of Fortune 100 companies have embraced AI tools like Copilot.
The competition is fierce too, with Alphabet (Google’s parent) and Meta (Facebook’s parent) releasing their AI coding tools in 2023, and Amazon and Apple jumping in this year.
But, before we start thinking AI is perfect, let’s dial it back a notch. Yes, AI can churn out lines of code, but it’s not all rainbows and unicorns.
Studies show that the quality of code generated by AI has actually decreased. Over half of organizations discovered security vulnerabilities in AI-generated code. Oops.
So while AI can help speed up mundane tasks like writing basic code or documenting what it does, it’s not quite ready to tackle the toughest programming challenges—yet.
The Global Talent Shift: Engineers From Emerging Markets
The developer scene isn’t just getting a tech upgrade; it’s getting a global makeover. Emerging markets, especially in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, are churning out programmers at a staggering rate.
By 2029, the number of developers in these regions is expected to grow by over 20%, compared to 13% in North America and a modest 9% in Europe.
India is quickly becoming a global software powerhouse. In 2023, Indian software and services exports reached a whopping $193 billion, with half of that headed to America.
Many companies are either outsourcing their software needs to places like India or setting up their own development hubs there to take advantage of lower costs. Schlumberger, an oil-and-gas services firm, has about half of its engineering team stationed in Beijing and Pune, India.
Companies are increasingly leveraging AI and offshoring to keep software development costs down. Amazon recently saved $260 million by converting thousands of applications from one type of code to another using AI. And it’s not just about the code itself. AI is making software engineers more versatile, allowing them to switch between programming languages faster.
What used to take three months can now be done in a week. That’s like turning a marathon into a sprint.
What’s more, offshoring is becoming more sophisticated. Companies aren’t just outsourcing the basic stuff anymore. Indian firms like Wipro are involved in building advanced tools like Microsoft Teams and designing software for connected cars.
Infosys, another Indian tech giant, recently bagged a $2 billion contract to provide AI and automation services. Offshoring is no longer about cost-cutting alone; it’s about tapping into some serious high-end software development talent.
With all this AI and offshoring hype, you might think Western developers are in trouble. But hold your horses.
While junior developers in high-income countries will face more competition from abroad, the truth is that highly skilled developers will still be in demand. Building software is still a deeply technical job that requires a lot of know-how.
In fact, a more optimistic scenario is taking shape—one where AI handles the boring, repetitive tasks, freeing developers to focus on more complex, creative, and valuable work.
Think of it like this: Would you rather code the same basic login page for the hundredth time, or solve the next big cybersecurity challenge?
For companies, the combination of AI and global talent is a game-changer. It means they can achieve more digitization without blowing their budgets—something that’s long been a struggle for IT managers.
The future of software development might just look like a well-oiled machine, powered by AI and driven by developers from every corner of the globe.
So, what does all this mean for the world of software development? The tech world is in the midst of a seismic shift, with AI enhancing productivity and emerging markets contributing to a larger share of global talent.
Coders won’t be out of a job anytime soon, but the way they work—and who they work with—is changing fast. And for businesses? It’s a win-win: faster, cheaper, and better software is now more attainable than ever.
One thing’s for sure: in the ever-evolving world of software development, the only constant is change—and the next few years are going to be one wild ride. Buckle up!