Beyond lines of code

MORE THAN 30% of new code at Google is now generated by AI, CEO Sundar Pichai said during Alphabet's recent Q1 2025 earnings call.

- SUDHIR CHOWDHARY

The search major is seeing strong momentum in the use of AI-assisted coding across teams, driven by more capable models and the introduction of agentic workflows.

At Microsoft, 20%-30% of their code is written by AI and if their CTO, Kevin Scott, is to be believed, this figure will spiral up to 95% by 2030.

The AI tsunami has enveloped most tech companies and coding has come to the point where there are now plugins where you tell the AI what you want to achieve, and it'll write the code for you—even fix errors you (or it) made.

Code automation involves using scripts, tools, and software to automate tasks related to software development, testing, and IT operations.

This phenomenon has both lowered the barrier of entry for programmers and put their jobs at risk at the same time.

India boasts a large pool of developers, with a growing number entering the IT sector each year.

However, there are concerns regarding the overall quality of Indian developers.

Are they facing an existential crisis? Is the workforce well versed (or being trained) in AI and other technologies?

"Not an existential crisis, but a transformation," said Ramanujam Thirumalai, CTO, Global Products and Solutions, NIIT.

Over the last four decades, developers have always adapted — from punch cards to assembly language to 3rd/4th generation languages to modern full-stack.

The core need has not changed: solving problems, innovating unique user experiences and creating value with technology.

"Is AI a major shift? Yes, AI is a disruptive next step.