Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Eric Schmidt Says AI Is Changing What Programmers Do
Eric Schmidt says computers can now write some code better than he can.
He thinks this will change what programmers do.
Instead of writing every part themselves, programmers may explain what they want and guide AI tools.
They will also need to check that the AI’s work is correct.
Schmidt still thinks young people should learn programming.
Knowing how code works can help people give AI better instructions.
One startup mentioned in the article says its engineers manage AI helpers instead of writing code themselves.
The article says this change is happening, but programming is not disappearing overnight.
Eric Schmidt says AI tools can now write code he could not produce even at his peak.
He predicts programmers will increasingly direct AI systems rather than build software line by line.
Schmidt still advises young people to learn programming so they can guide AI and evaluate its output.
Daytona, a 30-person AI startup, reportedly has 16 engineers managing an average of five AI agents each, with no one writing code.
The article says problem-solving, clear communication, code review, testing and domain knowledge may grow in importance.
- Who
- Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, speaking about programmers and AI coding tools.
- What
- Schmidt says programming is shifting from manually writing code toward directing AI systems, while still advising people to learn programming.
- When
- In an episode of Blackstone’s “Inside Blackstone” podcast, discussed in an article published October 4, 2026.
- Where
- The article focuses partly on implications for software engineers and students in India.
- Why
- Schmidt says AI tools can produce code beyond what he could write, changing how software is made.
Programming is shifting toward AI direction
Programming still needs human expertise
Whether programmers will still write code
Programming is shifting toward AI direction
Schmidt says AI can write code he could not and expects programmers to become more like architects who direct AI.
Programming still needs human expertise
Critics cited in the article say AI-written code still needs careful human review, and predictions that programming is ending have been made before.
Whether young people should learn programming
Programming is shifting toward AI direction
Schmidt advises learning programming so people can give AI precise instructions and assess its work.
Programming still needs human expertise
The article notes the possibility that the role is changing rather than disappearing, while emphasizing the need to review AI output and understand its quality.
- Schmidt’s Google tenure
- He ran Google from 2001 to 2011.
- Podcast
- Blackstone’s “Inside Blackstone.”
- Schmidt’s advice
- Learn programming to give AI precise instructions and judge its results.
- Daytona
- The article describes it as a 30-person AI startup.
- Daytona engineers
- Its 16 engineers reportedly manage an average of five AI agents each.
- Potentially valuable skills
- Problem-solving, clear communication, reviewing and testing code, and domain knowledge.