Should you still learn to code in 2025? 🤔

You’ve probably heard that Large Language Models (LLMs) are excellent at writing code:

• They are competitive with the best human coders.
• They can create a full web application from a single prompt.
• LLM-powered tools like Cursor, Copilot, and Windsurf can autocomplete or even rewrite your code.

So, is it still worth your time to learn how to code? My answer is an emphatic YES!

👩‍💻 Top 8 reasons to learn how to code

Here are my top 8 reasons why learning to code is still beneficial in 2025:

1. You'll be able to spot whether LLM-generated code is correct.

2. If the code executes but you run into a problem, you'll know how to fix it.

3. Even if the code appears to execute properly, you'll know how to examine it for less obvious bugs.

4. If the code executes but it’s too slow, you'll know how to optimize it.

5. If the code executes but it’s not what you had in mind, you'll know how to customize it.

6. You can be more specific in your requests to the LLM, which will lead to better results.

7. You'll be more highly prized by employers than those who only know how to use LLMs.

8. You'll gain knowledge and skills that will translate to other careers.

👨‍💻 8 more excellent reasons (written by LLMs)

I shared the list above with Claude 3.5, GPT-4o, and Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental, and asked them to contribute to my list. Here were their best additions:

9. You can better evaluate which coding tasks are appropriate for LLMs versus which require human expertise.

10. You'll be able to create novel and innovative solutions that LLMs might not suggest.

11. You'll better understand the architectural decisions needed for large projects, which LLMs often struggle with.

12. You'll be able to integrate LLM-generated code with existing systems and codebases more effectively.

13. You'll understand the security implications of the code you’re using, rather than blindly trusting LLM-generated solutions.

14. You can more effectively collaborate with other developers, as you’ll speak the same technical language.

15. You'll be better equipped to learn new programming languages and adapt to evolving technologies.

16. You'll develop a greater sense of confidence and self-reliance by understanding how to build things.

What do you think? Agree/disagree? Are there items you would add to this list?

Please let me know in the comments! 👇