Newsletter | Alvin's Cloud Venture

In the Era of AI: Is Now a Bad Time to Pursue an IT Career?

Written by Alvin | Jul 22, 2024 4:00:00 AM
In the era of AI, concerns about job security in IT are rising. However, this article reassures aspiring IT professionals that AI is a tool, not a replacement. By mastering system design and understanding client needs, you can thrive in this evolving landscape. Stay positive and embrace the future!

Introduction

Recently, several of my students have been asking me the same question:

"Is it risky to start a career in cloud computing and IT right now?"

Even before they ask, I can guess what's on their minds...

It's because of the emergence of AI! 😱

Looking at AI's development, there's no sign of slowing down! From basic text conversations to precise calculations, it shows emotions, tells jokes, and creates increasingly impressive images and videos.

Most importantly, it can code and keeps getting better at it!

With all the recent buzz in the media,

experts predict AI will replace Programmers and Software Engineers 😵😵.

 

Hi Cloud and IT Warriors!

Looking at all of this, are you feeling worried and uncertain? Are you wondering if all your dedication to learning programming and IT skills has been in vain? Are you concerned that AI seems capable of replacing any IT role, and wondering which direction to choose to avoid being affected? 😱

The rise of AI has sparked these concerns, especially with experts predicting it will replace Programmers and Software Engineers 😵😵😵.

But don't worry! Let me share some insights that will help you navigate this changing landscape. Throughout this article, I'll explain why IT professionals will remain valuable and how you can position yourself for success in the AI era.

Hi, I'm Alvin, an IT Cloud Technology Coach and Life Coach. I help fellow tech enthusiasts navigate their path in cloud technology.

I've built my ideal IT career that aligns with my passion, achieving work autonomy and time freedom.

When I first saw those AI commentaries, I felt concerned too.

After taking some time to calm down and think rationally, I came to my conclusions.

Today, I want to share these insights with you.

(As I think about it, I feel a sense of purpose - I hope my perspective brings you some hope 🤞🏻)

Let's explore 2 common misconceptions and how to overcome them!

【Misconception 1:】"Will AI replace IT roles? Will Programmers and Software Engineers disappear?"

【Answer:】No, not completely.

You might think I'd say "Even specialized programming AI like GitHub Copilot still generates code with lots of bugs," but that's not my point.

I believe these AI programming tools will definitely improve and might soon generate bug-free code.

However, the biggest difference between AI and humans is that ▪️AI is still just a tool with no purposeful direction▪️

We need to clearly explain system functions, goals, and how different features work together.

Only then can AI generate the code we actually need.

【Misconception 2:】"So if we explain things clearly, AI can handle all our programming work? Is it that simple?"

【Answer:】Yes, that's right!

But explaining things clearly and correctly is not easy at all!

Think about when you've worked with others on projects, whether at work or school.

When you ask teammates to complete a part, 8 or 9 out of 10 times it's not what you initially wanted, sometimes it's even completely unusable.

Setting aside the teammate's comprehension, I've found the issues often lie with ourselves:

  1. Your instructions aren't clear enough and lack necessary details.
  2. Your design has problems and contains conflicts.
  3. You misjudged the core problem from the start and can't provide the right solution.
  4. You can't tell if your teammate's code is right or wrong.

AI is a tool, and if your instructions are comprehensive enough, it's not hard for it to outperform most programmers.

But how can you expect to type a few requests in an AI chatbox and have it understand your exact intentions? 😅

That's wishful thinking! AI can't read minds yet 😅

🔹

Let's look at the solutions step by step.

Master Proper System Design

To give correct programming instructions, you must have proper system design.

I'm talking about overall system design, including what infrastructure and cloud services to use.

This helps meet system performance and scalability requirements.

The system design, based on long-term goals, will determine how you write your code.

Understand Clients to Grasp Core Issues

But to have proper system design, you must understand what problem you're solving.

Understanding the core issues requires communication with your clients (or internal departments).

If you miss the focus of the problem, even the best system design won't help - that's not AI's fault.

_

Master Technical Logic to Make Good Judgments

Finally, can you evaluate the logic, correctness, and quality of AI-generated code?

Think deeper, and you'll realize whether it's code from AI or team members.

You need technical and logical foundations to make good judgments.

Otherwise, you'll be like students who rely solely on AI for homework, having no understanding of what they're submitting.

How can you expect good results that way?

🔹

These are the essential abilities of a successful IT professional!

Can a non-technical manager create complex problem-solving systems just by instructing AI?

▪️AI will replace roles involving repetitive tasks.

▪️AI isn't the enemy - it's a powerful tool that accelerates your learning and development.▪️

▪️I believe the AI era actually highlights the value of IT professionals even more.▪️

Let's wrap up here.

If you've read this far, you're quite remarkable! 😊

【Q&A Time】

Let's start our Q&A session! Here are some common questions and my answers:

⭐️⭐️⭐️

To all aspiring Cloud and IT warriors!

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below 🗨. I'm happy to share more experiences with you.

Good luck and stay positive!