Recently, something that has deeply resonated with me is: starting from zero, using AI to write an app, and achieving the top spot in the App Store's paid category for similar products (news source: WeChat Official Account Content).
“AI Evolutionary Theory Peanut” resigned from the “User Research and Operations” position at Meituan, with almost no programming background (having learned a bit of Python), and learned programming through AI (initially using ChatGPT, later mainly using Cursor + Claude sonnet). By discovering needs through media resources and releasing products, they successfully embarked on the wave of artificial intelligence (AI). The product they developed ranked first in the paid category among similar products in the APP Store.
This event provides a glimpse into the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to programming in the era of artificial intelligence.
AI indeed brings us many opportunities. In the AI era we are in, the positive impact of AI is enormous. On one hand, AI has lowered the threshold for programming. Especially with AI-driven editors optimized specifically for programming languages, such as Cursor, Windsurf, Copilot, etc. On the other hand, AI's multi-model capabilities and extensive knowledge range far exceed the general programmer's mastery of programming languages. Therefore, AI can produce better design-oriented products in front of users who understand design and art, enriching or enhancing the artistic level of programming products.
At the same time, we should also recognize that AI will bring challenges to programming. Without considering the distant prospect of AI achieving general artificial intelligence or superintelligence, in the near future, the gradual popularization of AI will raise higher demands for product stability, usability, appearance, and UI design. The operation and maintenance of online products will also require higher standards, such as resisting attacks from AI-based network robots and web crawlers, which will become increasingly stringent.
In the AI era, the absolute advantage of programmers seems to be non-existent, but there is still a relative advantage. Even with the assistance of AI, programmers familiar with at least one programming language can utilize AI for programming more effectively compared to those without a programming background. Even if AI levels the differences between programmers and those with no coding experience, learning a programming language is essentially learning a logical way of thinking, which helps in analyzing and solving other problems.
Therefore, in the AI era, if one wants to excel in programming, it is still necessary to seriously study programming languages, computer system knowledge, etc., to better adapt to the demands of the AI era.
References:
- Intelligent AI: Reflections on the Success of Zero-Basis AI Programming;
- Peanut Boss's accounts: Bilibili and YouTube Channel