Cloudflare's CEO, Matthew Prince, shared his thoughts on why learning to code remains essential, even as artificial intelligence (AI) tools continue to handle more programming tasks. In an interview with Business Insider, Prince emphasized that while he no longer writes extensive code as the CEO of a multibillion-dollar cybersecurity firm, his foundational knowledge of coding continues to be highly valuable. Before founding Cloudflare, Prince studied computer science, a field that focuses on coding and software development. He also holds a law degree and an MBA, though he currently does not practice law or write much code. Prince believes that his background in these areas provides him with a deeper understanding of how his company's engineering and legal teams operate, making him a more effective leader. In recent years, the rise of AI tools has significantly transformed the way software engineers work. Google has reported that more than a quarter of its new code is generated by AI, and Microsoft’s CTO predicts that 95% of code could be AI-generated within the next five years. These advancements have led to increased efficiency, with some companies like Salesforce even pausing their recruitment of new engineers. Despite these changes, Prince maintains that the role of software engineers remains vital. In the cybersecurity sector, AI-generated code requires rigorous human scrutiny before it can be deployed. “In the future, no code will be released without significant human review,” Prince stated. Additionally, human-written code will undergo AI scrutiny to ensure quality and security. Cloudflare is actively exploring the potential of AI to enhance team productivity through several pilot projects. For example, machine learning systems have helped the company identify previously undetected security threats. AI has also saved thousands of hours in customer support, boosting customer satisfaction and ratings. However, Prince noted that these improvements have not led to a reduction in the customer support team’s size; instead, they have made the team more efficient. “AI hasn’t replaced people; it has given them ‘superpowers,’” he said. This perspective is shared by other tech leaders. Google’s research director, Yossi Matias, and Cisco’s executive, Liz Centoni, both agree that programming skills remain crucial in today’s and tomorrow’s job market. As AI continues to evolve, individuals with a strong foundation in programming can apply their skills more creatively across various domains. Todd McKinnon, CEO of Okta, also echoed similar sentiments. He believes that while AI has improved efficiency, the demand for software engineers will not decline. Instead, it might increase in the coming years, presenting more opportunities for innovation. McKinnon sees AI as a complement to human engineers rather than a replacement. Industry experts generally agree that as AI technology matures, programming skills will become even more central to career success. For companies like Cloudflare, the introduction of AI tools aims to enhance employee productivity and efficiency, not to replace their roles. Prince’s stance underscores the importance of collaboration between humans and AI, highlighting that the relationship is one of enhancement rather than substitution. Cloudflare, a cybersecurity company headquartered in San Francisco, was founded in 2010 and now has over 3,700 employees worldwide. The company specializes in content distribution networks (CDNs), DNS services, and cybersecurity solutions, protecting clients from cyber threats and optimizing website performance. Prince’s insights reflect Cloudflare’s proactive approach to technological changes, embracing the potential of AI while ensuring the irreplaceability of human expertise.