These days, a lot of tech leaders still push the idea that everyone should learn to code. But Andrew Anagnost, CEO of software giant Autodesk, thinks we’re approaching a turning point — and the real skill of the future isn’t coding itself, but something much broader: systems-level, interdisciplinary thinking.
“If AI is going to write the code for you, then what really matters is understanding how everything fits together — how different fields, technologies, and ideas interact,” Anagnost told Business Insider. “That kind of big-picture thinking is going to be far more valuable than just knowing how to write lines of code.”
Anagnost speaks from experience. His own path wasn’t straight out of a textbook. He didn’t follow a traditional academic route, eventually earning a Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering and computer science after exploring various disciplines. That diverse background shaped his belief that creativity and cross-disciplinary insight are what drive innovation — not just technical depth in one narrow area.
While he acknowledges the importance of deep expertise — especially for research scientists — he doesn’t believe that going “hyper-specialized” is the best path for most people entering today’s job market. With AI tools like GitHub Copilot and OpenAI’s Codex now capable of writing functional code from simple prompts, routine programming tasks are becoming automated. That means more people without formal computer science training can now create working software.
“We’re entering a world where generating code won’t be limited to software engineers,” Anagnost said. “It’ll take just a small amount of effort to produce code that does something useful. And that means more people than ever will be building digital products — just not necessarily through traditional coding.”
This shift, he argues, changes what education should focus on. The value of a computer science degree won’t come from teaching entry-level coding anymore. Instead, it’ll lie in tackling complex problems — like designing advanced algorithms or building sophisticated models — that AI can’t handle on its own. At the same time, companies may hire fewer junior coders, as AI takes over those tasks.
Anagnost also predicts a major evolution in team structures. Right now, building a software product usually involves four key roles: product manager, designer, engineer, and QA tester. But soon, he says, those roles could collapse into just two: someone with a creative vision and the ability to guide AI tools, and a systems thinker who understands how all the pieces connect.
In this new setup, humans won’t be writing every line of code — they’ll be orchestrating the process. “We’re moving toward a future where people act as creative directors or conductors,” Anagnost explained. “You don’t need to play every instrument if you can lead the orchestra.”
That’s why he believes schools need to adapt. Instead of focusing only on technical skills, education should emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to work across disciplines. Students should learn how to collaborate with AI, not compete with it.
“The number of people with traditional computer science degrees in software companies might go down,” Anagnost said. “But the number of people who can create meaningful products? That’s going to skyrocket.”
In other words, the future isn’t about who can code the fastest — it’s about who can think the broadest.