Published
2 min read

Trevor I. Lasn

Builder, founder, based in Tartu, Estonia. Been coding for over a decade, led engineering teams, writing since 2015.

Is it even worth learning to code?

With AI tools like Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, OpenAI Codex, and Lovable, is learning to code still valuable?

Yes. Absolutely. It’s like asking if it’s worth learning to read.

AI tools like Claude Code, Cursor, and GitHub Copilot are incredible. They write code faster than you ever could. But they’re tools, not replacements.

You still need to know what to build. You need to understand what the AI generates. You need to spot bugs, optimize performance, and make architectural decisions. You need to know when the AI is wrong.

Without coding knowledge, you’re just copying and pasting magic spells you don’t understand. That works until it doesn’t. Then you’re stuck.

Learning to code teaches you how to think systematically. How to break problems into smaller pieces. How to debug when things fail. These skills transfer everywhere.

AI makes you more productive, not obsolete. A developer with AI tools is 10x more powerful than someone who can’t code using AI tools.

It’s like airplanes. Planes are 95% autopilot, but you still need a trained pilot. When things go wrong at 30,000 feet, the autopilot can’t save you. The pilot can.

The real question isn’t whether coding is worth learning. It’s whether you want to be someone who builds things or someone who asks others to build things for them.

Code is literacy for the digital age. Learn it.


Found this article helpful? You might enjoy my free newsletter. I share dev tips and insights to help you grow your coding skills and advance your tech career.


Check out these related articles that might be useful for you. They cover similar topics and provide additional insights.

Tech
3 min read

The Crutch Effect: How AI Tools Became A Crutch

Introducing The Crutch Effect

Sep 13, 2024
Read article
Tech
5 min read

Understanding Agent2Agent (A2A): A Protocol for LLM Communication

An exploration of Google's new open protocol that enables different AI systems to exchange information and collaborate

Apr 13, 2025
Read article
Tech
3 min read

Google is Killing Information Economics on the Internet

Google’s Gemini pulls summaries from websites and slaps them directly into the search results

Sep 11, 2024
Read article
Tech
2 min read

Now is the best time to break into tech

With AI tooling, a developer with 1 year of experience can match the output of someone with 10 years. The playing field has never been more level.

Oct 20, 2025
Read article
Tech
2 min read

Google's AI distribution advantage

While everyone debates models and features, Google owns the distribution channels that make AI stick

Jul 25, 2025
Read article
Tech
11 min read

Google's Journey: From Search Engine to Tech Giant

Exploring the key innovations and strategies that transformed Google into a global technology leader

Oct 1, 2024
Read article
Tech
3 min read

When Will We Have Our First AI CEO?

Welcome to the future of corporate leadership. It's efficient, profitable, and utterly inhuman

Nov 4, 2024
Read article
Tech
2 min read

courses.reviews gets a facelift + now AI-powered

Find the perfect coding course with natural + language search and smart recommendations

Aug 24, 2025
Read article
Tech
3 min read

Amazon's 'No Weasel Words' Rule

How Amazon's emphasis on eliminating weasel words leads to more precise, actionable communication and better decision-making

Sep 17, 2024
Read article

This article was originally published on https://www.trevorlasn.com/blog/is-it-even-worth-to-learn-coding. It was written by a human and polished using grammar tools for clarity.