In a time when many question whether learning to code remains relevant amid the rise of artificial intelligence, the Chief Product Officer for Experiences and Devices at Microsoft has issued a clear message: the value of computer science education is more crucial than ever. During a recent episode of “Lenny’s Podcast,” the executive refuted the growing sentiment that “coding is dead,” insisting that AI creates new opportunities for those with a grounding in computer science, rather than negating the need for such expertise. Her comments, published by Business Insider on May 23, 2025 (businessinsider.com), provide key insights for students, parents, and education policymakers in Thailand grappling with how to prepare for the digital future.
The Pivotal Role of Coding in an AI-Driven Age
The executive’s remarks come as AI-powered tools, such as natural language coding assistants, are increasingly able to translate everyday instructions into working software—leading some to claim that future generations should look beyond traditional computer science training. “A lot of folks think about, ‘Oh, don’t bother studying computer science or the coding is dead,’ and I just fundamentally disagree,” said the Microsoft leader. She pointed out that programming has always advanced toward higher “layers of abstraction,” moving from complex assembly code to more accessible languages, and now, with AI, toward even greater ease of use.
Rather than rendering coding skills obsolete, she noted that today’s innovations actually build upon decades of abstraction in programming. “We don’t program in assembly anymore. Most of us don’t even program in C, and then you’re kind of higher and higher layers of abstraction. So to me, they will be ways that you will tell the computer what to do, right? It’ll just be at a much higher level of abstraction, which is great. It democratizes,” she explained. With AI acting as the latest tool to help “tell computers what to do,” she sees new forms of programming emerging—accessible to a wider range of people, but rooted in computational thinking.
This stance is especially relevant for Thai students, as Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society pursues “Thailand 4.0”, which emphasizes advanced technology in education and industry. Local experts, such as computer science lecturers at Chulalongkorn University, have similarly warned against the misconception that AI will replace all technical jobs, stressing instead the importance of computational problem-solving skills in the workforce (unesco.org).
Software Operators, Not Just Software Engineers
Another key point raised by the Microsoft CPO is that the future may see a shift in job descriptions, but not a reduction in the importance of computer science fundamentals. It may become more common to refer to technical professionals as “software operators” rather than “software engineers,” reflecting the new ways humans interact with AI-driven development platforms. Yet, she emphasized, “That doesn’t mean you don’t understand computer science, and it’s a way of thinking, and it’s a mental model. So I strongly disagree with the whole, ‘Coding is dead.’”
Thailand faces a similar reality. The digital transformation underway in sectors from finance to agriculture means even non-technical roles will require at least basic digital literacy, including the ability to work alongside AI systems. While popular coding bootcamps and computer science degree programs remain in demand, concerns about job security in a changing landscape have prompted calls for universities to integrate hands-on experience with new AI tools into existing curricula (bangkokpost.com).
Project Managers in an Age of Idea Abundance
The conversation also touched on the future of project managers, a profession seen as vulnerable to “flattening” as AI automates coordination tasks. The Microsoft executive argued that while AI increases the volume of new ideas and prototypes, project managers will need to sharpen their “taste-making and editing” instincts. “It raises the floor, but it raises the ceiling as well. In some sense, how do you break out in these times that you have to make sure that this is something that rises above the noise?” she remarked.
With AI making it easier and faster to generate initial project drafts, the crucial skill becomes the ability to identify, refine, and champion the best ideas. “There used to be more gatekeeping, I would say, in terms of like, ‘Oh, we should ask the product leader what they think,’” she added, noting that final approval is more important than ever, but must now be earned through demonstrated judgment and domain expertise. “You have to earn it now.”
For Thai organizations, from startups in Bangkok to established conglomerates, this dynamic reinforces the need to foster both technical and creative skills among employees. As the executive outlined, success depends not just on who can build the most technology, but on who can recognize and leverage good ideas when AI floods the market with options.
A Global and Thai Perspective: Why Coding Remains Vital
Experts in education and technology echo the Microsoft CPO’s call to maintain focus on computer science education. According to a UNESCO policy brief on “AI and Skills”, critical thinking, computational literacy, and adaptability are “future-proof” capacities for all students. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has also identified coding and related digital skills as essential for competing in the global job market—especially as Southeast Asia’s digital economy grows (oecd.org).
In Thailand, the government has rolled out digital curriculum reforms and increased support for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education at every level (asean.org). The integration of AI-focused content alongside traditional programming skills seeks to ensure Thai students can adapt to evolving job market demands.
Evidence from local surveys supports this strategy. The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) reported in 2024 that Thai employers are increasingly seeking hires who can combine coding skills with creativity and business acumen (depa.or.th). Moreover, collaborations between Thai universities and leading technology providers aim to expose students to the latest tools in AI-assisted development, reinforcing the dual need for technical fluency and innovative thinking.
The Changing Nature of Work and the Thai Labor Market
The impact of AI and evolving programming paradigms on employment remains a matter of debate, but most research suggests a transformation, rather than a wholesale elimination, of jobs. A recent analysis by the World Economic Forum forecast that while AI may displace certain rote software jobs globally, it will also create millions of new roles requiring advanced digital and hybrid skills (weforum.org).
For Thailand, the risk is less about losing jobs and more about missed opportunities if young Thais are not equipped with both foundational and emerging technical competencies. The government’s own Economic and Social Development Plan highlights a shortage of digital workers with advanced coding and AI expertise as a bottleneck to fulfilling Thailand 4.0’s ambitions (nesdc.go.th). Education leaders have thus been urged to avoid “curriculum panic” and instead focus on building enduring capacities and adaptability.
Local business councils and technology professionals have also cautioned against discarding time-honored disciplines in favor of short-term technological trends. Instead, they advocate for educational settings that foster experimentation, peer learning, and exposure to the evolving toolkit of digital work—be it in Python or through AI-driven platforms. As the Microsoft executive said, “There will be ways that you will tell the computer what to do… at a much higher level of abstraction.” The ability to “tell the computer what to do” in any form—algorithmic or prompt-based—remains a vital human asset.
A Glimpse into Thailand’s Future Classrooms
Initiatives like the “Coding Nation” campaign, run by Thailand’s Ministry of Education, have seen incremental successes in driving more students into digital skills boot camps and competitions (moe.go.th). Several leading Thai universities are now requiring introductory coding as part of general education, tapping into both international and locally developed AI learning tools.
Additionally, partnerships with international technology firms are giving Thai students early access to the latest advancements in generative AI, robotics, and digital design. These developments, combined with the government’s prioritization of STEM and digital literacy, align closely with the Microsoft leader’s assertion that the future belongs not to the “coding-is-dead” camp, but to those able to harness both AI and core computer science knowledge to solve real problems.
Recommendations for Thai Students and Policymakers
The debate sparked by the Microsoft CPO’s comments offers timely guidance for Thai learners and educators. Here are actionable takeaways:
- Students should continue to pursue foundational computer science education, understanding that while programming tools evolve, the mindset and logic underpinning coding are long-lasting assets.
- Educators and curriculum designers should update course content to include exposure to both classic and emerging methods of digital problem-solving—including “prompt engineering” for AI, as well as core coding principles.
- Thai parents and career counselors are encouraged to look beyond sensational headlines about AI taking over the workforce and focus on evidence-based guidance that stresses adaptability and hybrid skill sets.
- Policy leaders should expand support for teacher training in AI and coding, ensuring educators are able to guide students through the latest technological shifts.
- Employers are urged to reward not just technical skill, but also the creativity and critical judgment increasingly demanded by AI-fueled innovation—echoing the Microsoft CPO’s call for “taste-making and editing” as core workplace competencies.
Looking ahead, the narrative emerging from top technology executives and educators alike is consistent: in Thailand and globally, coding isn’t dying—it’s morphing, and those with a strong technical foundation paired with adaptive learning skills will be best equipped to thrive in the AI era.
Sources: businessinsider.com, unesco.org, oecd.org, asean.org, weforum.org, bangkokpost.com, depa.or.th, moe.go.th, nesdc.go.th, thailand.prd.go.th