First, the question on everyone’s mind: Will AI replace programmers? “It depends on the task,” Laurent remarks. “AI handles simple coding and debugging well, but it still struggles with complex problems – it gets confused and can’t break them down effectively.” AI will likely support programmers by handling routine tasks, freeing humans to focus on creative, complex challenges. But using it well still requires a strong understanding of how systems work.

Does this mean we need a whole new set of skills? Not necessarily. “As a species, we’ve always engineered solutions to survive and shape our environment. Some may have forgotten this or never learned how to apply it, but it’s almost innate,” Laurent reflects.
“It’s not about becoming someone completely different. It’s about developing what I call an engineering state of mind. Whether or not you write code, this mindset will serve you in any field.”

Yet today, the “engineering” part of “software engineering” is increasingly overlooked, he sighs.“Many are skilled technicians and craftsmen, but the true challenge is translating real-world problems into code. Often, the complexity isn’t in the code itself – the real difficulty lies in understanding what to build, why it matters, and how to clearly define the problem.”

He compares this shift to the evolution of bridge-building: “Five hundred years ago, building a bridge was mainly craftsmanship. But as bridges grew larger and had to bear heavier loads, it became an engineering challenge – requiring careful planning and design before construction even begins.”