Chinese software association responds to AI threatening programmers

On September 11, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology held a press conference on the "Artificial Intelligence + Software" Action Plan. A reporter raised concerns about the impact of intelligent programming on software professionals, sparking discussions about AI replacing programmers. Lu Weifeng, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Software Association, emphasized the high social attention to the issue and the association's commitment. He noted that AI is transforming software production, requiring professionals to develop skills in requirements understanding, architecture design, and system integration. The association highlighted three key shifts: declining demand for basic coding skills, rising importance of human-machine collaboration, and the need for composite expertise. New roles like Frontline Deployment Engineers are emerging, requiring both technical and industry knowledge. While some jobs are being restructured, new positions are also appearing, such as generative AI system operators. Lu called for companies to upgrade alongside AI, invest in training, and foster innovation to expand employment opportunities.