In a world where AI handles all of the complexity, do we really need to know how things work?
Most of us no longer code in 0’s and 1’s or even know how to write code where we manually have to manage memory. We spent entire careers without ever having to implement a data structure or an algorithm, outside of the rare job interview or college exam.
Higher-level programming languages have abstracted away so many fundamental building blocks. AI assistants are abstracting away even higher-order building blocks. If we enter a world where app development is nothing more than describing and iterating on an idea, does it even make sense to learn the basics of programming, system design, computer architecture, and related topics?
TBH I’m not really the best person to refute this … however I disagree…
I’m a visual person. If I can’t visualize and understand how something works , I don’t remember/ retain it.
I won a state math competition in primary school yet I couldn’t understand algebra in high school. It wasn’t until I started coding, looping and declaring variables ect well into my 30’s that algebra started to click.
I don’t completely understand how how binary and registers work but I know how to map out an analogue DC circuit and how to use switches as logic gates.
I think a primary school coding curriculum, that would start at dc circuits and switches, go through binary, registers, loops, data structures and end up at AI/ machine learning is a must these days.
I honestly see coding as a supplementary and parallel subject to mathematics and every child globally, should have access to an education in coding.
I purchased a book about 10 years ago called “Thinking in Systems” by Donella Meadows, The book completely changed the way I view the world.
Everything is a complex system and its almost impossible to accurately reason about without understanding the majority of factors.
You may not need to understand the whole system as long as somebody within your team does and can explain it to you in basic terms.
The problem with AI being that person that explains it to you is that AI is prone to making shortcuts and may not be accurate.
What happens when less and less people start to understand how things work?
The AI overlord will start feeding itself it own bullshit
… however I disagree…
