You might know Eric Schmidt as the big-shot boss who ran Google for years. But lately, there’s a rumor floating around the internet: "Eric Schmidt can't write code."
Is it true? Well, yes and no. It’s a bit like asking if a pro race car driver from the 1970s can drive a modern electric car. They definitely know how to drive, but the "car" has changed completely!
The Secret Life of a Young Coder
Before he was wearing fancy suits and running one of the biggest companies in the world, Eric Schmidt was a total "tech geek" (in the best way possible!).
He studied hard: He didn't just play video games; he earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley.He built famous tools: While working at legendary places like Bell Labs, he helped create a tool called lex. Even today, computer science students still learn about the work he helped start!
Coding was his life: He spent his entire 20s sitting in front of a computer, writing lines of code by hand.
Why People Think He Can't Code Now
So, why is he saying his skills are "gone"? It’s all because of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Recently, Schmidt admitted that the way he used to program is now "completely automated." Imagine spending hours writing a long essay by hand, and then a robot comes along and writes it perfectly in two seconds. That’s how he feels about coding today.
Here is what he thinks is happening:
Manual Coding is Dying: Writing every single line of code is becoming a thing of the past.
The New "Director" Role: Schmidt believes the best programmers today don't "type" code; they act like movie directors. They tell the AI what they want, and the AI builds it.
AI is Just Faster: He’s watched AI generate complex programs in seconds that would have taken him days to write back in the 80s.
What Do You Think?
Eric Schmidt isn't saying he forgot how computers work. He’s saying the world has moved on to a new era where thinking is more important than typing.
What about you?
Do you think learning to code by hand is still important?
Or should we all just learn how to "direct" AI?Drop a comment below and let’s chat! 👇
Would you like me to explain more about the specific AI tools Eric Schmidt thinks will replace traditional software engineering?