# AI impact on software development roles

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ai-impact-on-software-development-roles
> Updated: 2026-10-26T01:29:30.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Tech leaders have provided perspectives on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the software engineering profession. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman suggested that AI will not make programmers obsolete, but will instead increase the demand for software by making development more cost-effective. He noted a shift in work from manual coding toward system design and reviewing AI-generated output.

Similarly, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt observed that AI coding tools can now produce code exceeding the capabilities of previous generations of programmers, suggesting future developers will act more as architects. Google CEO Sundar Pichai added that while AI assists in research and code generation—noting a one-third reduction in code rollbacks—human oversight remains essential, describing the current state as a collaborative system rather than autonomous replacement.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Tech leaders discuss the evolving role of AI in software development

Tech leaders Eric Schmidt and Sundar Pichai discuss the shift in software development, noting AI's growing role in coding while emphasizing the continued necessity of human design and oversight.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tech-leaders-discuss-the-evolving-role-of-ai-in-software-development

### 2026-10-21: Sam Altman discusses the impact of AI on software development jobs

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman argues that AI will not replace programmers but will instead shift their focus toward system design and judgment as the demand for software increases.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sam-altman-discusses-the-impact-of-ai-on-software-development-jobs

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Cite as: AI impact on software development roles. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ai-impact-on-software-development-roles