{
  "id": 7756545,
  "title": "Learning Programming in an Age of LLMs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/learning-programming-in-an-age-of-llms",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-16T09:12:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hacker News",
    "slug": "hacker-news",
    "url": "https://blog.ploeh.dk/2026/09/16/on-learning-programming-in-an-age-of-llms/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A reader recently wrote me a long letter about learning programming in the age of LLMs. After permission to quote extensively, I attempted to answer in public. While uncertain about the answers, I aim to provide a transparent perspective based on personal experience. I am not anti-AI and am fascinated by these systems, yet I question the relationship with them in the current context. I feel a mix of admiration and frustration when working with AI, sometimes resenting its capabilities. My position on LLMs is influenced by my age and socio-economic status, which allows me to survive unemployment, but I am unsure if knowledge-based societies can withstand potential job loss. As an economist, I worry about the impact of mass unemployment on the economy and argue that while new jobs have been created historically, they often do not benefit those who lost their previous positions. Despite loving programming and hoping for a future world for my young adult children, I wonder if learning programming fundamentals before LLMs was beneficial. If starting today, I would consider alternative skills requiring hand-eye coordination. Currently, I am learning data structures and language semantics, driven by curiosity, not monetary gain. While AI may enable faster development, it remains to be seen if people can keep up with its advancements.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}