Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, which used to be known as Facebook, recently shared some ambitious plans that could shake up the tech world. Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Zuckerberg revealed his intention to start using AI to automate coding jobs at Meta, possibly as soon as this year.

AI: The New Midlevel Engineer?

Zuckerberg envisions an AI system that could function like a midlevel engineer, writing code and potentially taking on tasks that are currently handled by human developers. He suggests that by 2025, not only Meta but also other tech companies will have AI that can perform these engineering roles. For context, a midlevel engineer at Meta earns a hefty salary in the mid-six figures, so the financial implications are significant.

What Does This Mean for Jobs?

While Zuckerberg hasn't explicitly stated that AI will replace human workers, his comments hint at a future where AI could take over many coding tasks. He mentioned that initially, these AI systems might be costly to run, but they will become more efficient over time. Eventually, much of the code for Meta's apps and even the AI itself could be created by these AI "engineers" rather than human ones.

Zuckerberg believes this shift will enhance human creativity, allowing people to focus on more innovative and imaginative work. However, when asked if AI would lead to job losses, he didn't give a straightforward answer, instead drawing parallels to how industrialization transformed work in the past.

Following the Trend

The idea of AI handling programming tasks is part of a broader trend in the tech industry. Many companies are developing AI agents capable of performing complex jobs without much human oversight, acting as virtual employees. Meta isn't alone in this pursuit. Salesforce's CEO, Marc Benioff, announced that the company would stop hiring software engineers by 2025, attributing this decision to the productivity boost from AI technologies like their Agentforce AI model.

Similarly, Klarna, a fintech company, reported laying off 22 percent of its staff due to AI advancements. Across the tech sector, thousands of jobs are being affected as companies race to develop cutting-edge AI models.

The Bigger Picture

While AI's potential to automate coding jobs is exciting, it also raises questions about the future of work and the role of humans in tech. As companies like Meta push forward with these technologies, the industry will need to navigate the balance between innovation and employment. Whether AI will ultimately enhance human creativity or lead to significant job displacement remains to be seen.