GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke continues to champion the belief that AI will not take developer jobs but rather transform and elevate the profession. Speaking on The Silicon Valley Girl podcast during VivaTech in Paris, Dohmke reiterated that AI is not a job-killer in tech—instead, it’s an enabler of creativity, efficiency, and scale.
He argued that smart companies won’t reduce headcount, but will actually hire more developers. His logic: if AI tools can boost one developer’s output tenfold, then a team of 10 empowered developers could potentially deliver 100x the results. This isn't about reducing cost but unlocking bigger ideas, scaling faster, and enabling broader participation in software development.
Dohmke gave the example of building web apps: previously requiring expert teams, but now achievable with AI-powered tools even by individuals or small teams. He envisions a future where a diverse range of developers, from casual “consumer developers” building personal tools to professionals creating advanced AI systems, are all part of the ecosystem.
While the industry is experiencing layoffs and hiring slowdowns, Dohmke believes these are temporary reactions to market uncertainty. Companies that resist AI integration risk falling behind, while those that embrace it will thrive.
He also highlighted how younger generations are naturally better positioned to lead this transition, comparing their fluency with AI to how Gen Z grew up seamlessly using smartphones. His message: AI is here, it’s accessible, and those who adopt it early will have the edge.
In summary, Dohmke’s outlook is clear:
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AI augments, not replaces developers.
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Companies using AI strategically will outpace those that don’t.
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The next generation of developers will build with AI as second nature.
