GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke Warns Developers: Embrace AI or Be Left Behind

Thomas Dohmke, CEO of GitHub, has issued one of the clearest calls the software development community has heard in years: adapt to artificial intelligence or abandon your career in coding. 

This blunt message is not fearmongering but a reflection of the rapid transformation AI is bringing to software development. 

Dohmke emphasizes that AI will soon generate the majority of code, fundamentally changing what it means to be a developer. Those who resist are likely to be left behind, while those who embrace AI tools will find new opportunities and creative roles emerging. 

This is a pivotal moment where AI shifts from a niche assistant to an indispensable collaborator, reshaping how code is written and reviewed.

The Evolution of Coding: From Handcrafted to AI-Assisted

Software development has shifted from pure manual coding to a hybrid process where AI powers much of the routine work. Dohmke describes coding as part production and part creativity. 

AI automates repetitive tasks such as boilerplate code, debugging, and test generation, freeing developers to concentrate on higher-level design, problem-solving, and innovation. This mirrors the idea of the "flow state," where developers are fully engaged in creative problem-solving without the interruptions of mundane tasks. 

Tools like GitHub Copilot keep developers in this zone longer, enabling greater productivity and creativity. Dohmke highlights that today's developers are already building upon existing code libraries, frameworks, and tools—AI is the next logical step in this evolution. 

Instead of writing every line manually, developers increasingly compose software by integrating components, with AI becoming a powerful partner in that process. However, human expertise remains critical for verifying the AI-generated code’s security, efficiency, and compliance.

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Stages of AI Adoption in Development

GitHub’s research involving 22 developers who deeply integrate AI tools reveals a clear four-phase progression in AI adoption:

1. AI Skeptic: Initial dabbling with AI, focused on small tasks with little tolerance for errors.
2. AI Explorer: Using AI for debugging and snippets, beginning to understand its current limits.
3. AI Collaborator: Co-creating with AI tools, developing skills in prompt engineering and context-building.
4. AI Strategist: Delegating complex tasks to AI agents and focusing on verification, system design, and project oversight.

Developers in the final phase no longer just write code but manage AI agents, curate context instructions, and critically review AI outputs. One developer humorously characterized this shift by suggesting their new role might be “Creative Director of Code”, a title reflecting the transition from code producer to code enabler.

The Impending Shift: AI Will Write Most Code

The most striking prediction from Dohmke and GitHub’s research is that AI is set to write 90 percent of code within the next two to five years. This timeline is supported by the developers surveyed, half of whom believe it could happen within just two years. 

Importantly, these developers do not fear obsolescence but see their roles evolving in a way that demands new skills—critical thinking, AI prompt design, system-level architecture, and quality assurance.

Dohmke urges developers to view AI not as a threat but as a reinvention of their profession. He stresses that the excitement around AI adoption is real, with developers reporting increased ambition, improved problem-solving capabilities, and higher job satisfaction after embracing AI tools.

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GitHub’s Vision: Tools for the AI-Native Developer

Under Dohmke’s leadership, GitHub is actively advancing the integration of AI into developer workflows. From the early days of GitHub Copilot as a peer programmer to the emergence of AI coding agents that automate larger chunks of development, GitHub envisions a future where natural language becomes a universal programming interface. 

This allows developers to instruct AI agents more intuitively, enabling faster, more efficient coding cycles.

GitHub’s approach blends human creativity with AI efficiency. They promote continuous learning and adaptability, encouraging developers to sharpen their skills in AI collaboration and code validation. 

The company’s research confirms that successful AI integration depends on developers’ ability to critically evaluate AI-generated code to maintain security and functionality standards.

Conclusion: Adapt or Step Aside

Thomas Dohmke’s message is unambiguous: software development is undergoing irreversible change. AI is not an optional tool but a core element of the profession’s future. Developers who refuse to adapt risk losing relevance in a market where AI accelerates coding processes and shifts the nature of work toward design, oversight, and strategy. 

Meanwhile, embracing AI empowers developers to explore new creative heights, become more productive, and redefine their careers. This transformation represents both a challenge and an opportunity—a call for the software community to reinvent itself in an AI-powered world.

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FAQ

What is Thomas Dohmke’s perspective on AI in software development?

Dohmke believes AI will soon generate the majority of code, transforming developer roles from coders to strategists and overseers of AI agents. Developers must embrace AI tools or risk obsolescence.

How will AI affect the creativity of developers?

AI automates routine coding tasks, allowing developers to spend more time in creative problem-solving and system design, thereby enhancing creativity and productivity without replacing human input.

What are the stages of AI adoption for developers?

Developers typically progress from AI skeptics to explorers, then collaborators, and finally strategists who delegate tasks to AI and focus on verification and high-level design.

Is AI expected to replace developers?

No. AI changes how developers work by taking on repetitive tasks. Human roles evolve toward managing AI, reviewing code, and system-level thinking, not being replaced outright.

What is GitHub’s approach to AI integration?

GitHub focuses on developing AI tools like Copilot and coding agents that assist developers through natural language interfaces and continuous collaboration between humans and AI.

How soon will AI write most of the code?

Dohmke’s research suggests AI could generate up to 90% of code within 2 to 5 years, reshaping developer roles but not eliminating the need for human expertise.