Friend or Foe? Learning to Code in an AI-Driven World
In a world where AI can write a program in seconds, is coding still the must-have skill it once was? It’s a fascinating question, and depending on who you ask, you’ll probably get a dozen different answers!
At Arduino, we firmly believe that even in the age of AI, coding remains one of the most valuable skills students (or anyone, for that matter!) can learn. However, we also recognize that AI tools can open doors and make this technology a lot more accessible.
In this article, we’ll explain why coding and AI aren’t necessarily the rivals they’re often made out to be. In fact, in some cases, they’re the ultimate dream team!
Why coding matters in the age of AI
Coding has long been seen as an essential skill to have in your toolkit. And that’s unlikely to change any time soon. Because as great as AI is, it can’t do everything. To truly understand the logic behind the code or to pursue a career in a related field, you still need to roll up your sleeves and dive into it yourself.
Similarly, no matter how powerful AI is, if you don’t know how to program it then you can only use it passively. This makes it difficult to unleash its full potential. By learning to code, kids can customize AI to fit their needs, effectively turning them from passive users into active innovators.
That being said, learning coding isn’t just about giving students the skills they need to pursue a career as a software engineer (although that’s a great option!). It also supports their cognitive and psychosocial development by teaching them essential soft skills like critical thinking, resilience, and problem-solving.
And let’s not forget the creativity factor! Programming isn’t just a technical process; it’s a hands-on form of expression. Learners build digital worlds, craft interactive stories, and design their own games. Even when using an AI-generated program, code-savvy kids can tweak and personalize it to make each project uniquely their own.
All of these skills are essential for working alongside AI and making the most of its capabilities. By introducing coding to students at an early age, we’re allowing them to develop skills that will prepare them for a future in which AI plays an integral role – whatever career path they choose.
No experience? No problem! How AI is breaking down coding barriers
While learning to code clearly has many advantages, we know that it’s not for everyone. Some students simply need to use code to unlock new technological possibilities or bring their creative visions to life. And that’s where AI comes in!
Our work with the students and professors from Politecnico di Milano – School of Design, Design for the Fashion System, is a great example of this. Daria Casciani, Assistant Professor, is designing a course that combines fashion and technology to help students explore new frontiers in smart, sustainable fashion.
The students participating in the module came from a fashion design background and had no prior knowledge of programming or Arduino technology. However, with the support of teaching staff, Arduino documentation, and ChatGPT, the students were able to write basic code and then modify it based on their projects' needs.
Without AI, the learning curve would have been much steeper, but with its help, the designers were able to focus on their creativity without getting bogged down by technical hurdles. If you haven’t seen the results of their innovative creations, check out their finished projects here!
While we initially used ChatGPT for this project, it’s important to point out a few limitations:
- Students had to constantly switch between ChatGPT and the Arduino documentation, which slowed down the workflow.
- ChatGPT isn’t trained on official Arduino resources, so the answers can be outdated, inaccurate, or just plain wrong.
Meet your new AI-powered coding companion!
This is exactly why we built the Arduino AI Assistant into the Cloud Editor — it knows your board, your code, and our docs.
Generate Arduino Code Instantly with AI
This powerful generative AI tool is designed to make coding easier, faster, and way more fun. Built right into the Arduino Cloud Editor, the AI Assistant helps users write, debug, and improve their Arduino sketches – removing the need to jump between different tools or spend hours scouring the web for help.
If students hit a snag or need support with their code, they can simply ask the AI Assistant for help – keeping them focused on the task in hand. Plus, the Assistant doesn’t just give them the code; it explains every step with clear comments, making it easier to understand and learn.
Powered by Anthropic Cloud, one of the most advanced generative AI services available, the Arduino AI Assistant takes context into account. It can see both your sketch and the connected board, enabling it to provide tailored, relevant solutions rather than generic responses.
At Arduino, our mission has always been to democratize technology. The new AI Assistant is a giant leap toward that goal. With the support of tools like this, more students and aspiring makers can experiment, innovate, and create without feeling intimidated by complex code. You could call it the ultimate coding/AI dream team!
We’d Love Your Feedback
The Arduino AI Assistant is live in the Cloud Editor and free to use. Give it a try and see how it can boost your coding flow.
And don’t forget — your feedback makes it better. Hit 👍 if the AI nailed it, or 👎 to tell us how it can improve. We’re listening and constantly iterating to make this the smartest coding companion out there.