GitHub CEO Says Future Engineers Must Adapt — AI Won’t Replace Them If They Embrace This Skill

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the tech industry, concerns have emerged about its potential to replace junior software engineers. Companies are increasingly integrating AI tools into software development processes, leading to a decline in hiring entry-level developers. However, GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke has pushed back against the notion that AI will make junior engineers obsolete. In a recent interview with The Pragmatic Engineer, Dohmke emphasized that junior talent is essential—not only for innovation but also for bringing fresh energy and diverse perspectives to technology companies.

Dohmke stated that AI cannot fully replace the unique contributions of junior engineers. He believes these engineers, being digital natives who grew up with smartphones, cloud computing, social media, and AI tools, are naturally more adaptable. Their openness to experimentation and less rigid mindset make them ideal for working with emerging technologies such as GitHub Copilot and other AI-assisted coding platforms. Dohmke highlighted that younger developers are typically more willing to embrace AI tools and new workflows without the baggage of past technological failures, which makes them faster learners in this rapidly changing landscape.

According to Dohmke, the future of engineering does not lie in writing all code from scratch. Instead, the role of engineers is evolving into one where skills in prompting, collaboration with AI agents, and effective use of open-source libraries are critical. This means junior developers who can master these tools and adapt to the new workflow will play a central role in driving efficiency and solving problems faster than ever before.

GitHub, owned by Microsoft, has recognized this shift and renewed its investment in intern programs post-pandemic. Dohmke sees this move as crucial for injecting the company with new ideas, energy, and critical outside perspectives. Junior engineers often challenge legacy thinking and bring innovative approaches, such as suggesting new technologies or incubation of fresh ideas that can shape product development. This diversity of thought is key for companies looking to stay competitive in the AI-driven era.

While many in the industry speculate that AI will cut down the need for junior coders, Dohmke labels this belief as “backwards.” He explains that junior developers, unburdened by past operational mishaps, are more willing to take risks and learn new systems. Their lack of exposure to catastrophic tech failures actually gives them an edge, making them more receptive to change and capable of quickly adopting AI tools.

Importantly, Dohmke also underscores the value of blending both junior and senior talent. Senior engineers offer depth and experience, while junior engineers bring in energy and a new lens. This synergy, according to Dohmke, should extend beyond engineering and apply to all departments in a company.

In a closing remark, Dohmke highlights how GitHub values practical contributions over resume length. “You hire people because they have a green contribution graph on their GitHub profile,” he said, emphasizing demonstrated skill and engagement over years of experience at different companies.

In essence, the GitHub CEO's message is clear: the future of software development lies not in replacing junior engineers with AI, but in empowering them to lead the charge alongside AI—driving innovation and building the next generation of intelligent software.