Beyond Coding: Why Agency Matters More in the AI Era
For years, “learn to code” was the go-to advice for breaking into tech. But Jayesh Govindarajan, EVP and Head of AI Engineering at Salesforce, believes there’s now a more valuable skill: agency.
“I may be in the minority here, but I think something that’s far more essential than learning how to code is having agency,” Govindarajan shared in a recent Business Insider interview.
The Shift from Coding to Problem-Solving
Govindarajan’s perspective reflects how AI is reshaping software development. He explains that while AI-powered systems can solve complex problems, they still need humans to define the problems worth solving.
“We’re building a system that can pretty much solve anything for you—but it just doesn’t know what to solve.”
This is where agency becomes critical. Instead of focusing solely on coding, the real skill lies in identifying problems, leveraging AI tools, and iterating solutions.
No-Code AI: A New Way to Build Solutions
To illustrate this, Govindarajan offered a real-world example involving College Possible, a nonprofit helping students prepare for college.
- Identify the problem – A person interviews a counselor to understand their daily challenges.
- Leverage AI – Using an agentic AI system, they describe the problem in plain English, and the AI generates a first draft solution.
- Refine through feedback – The counselor tests the solution, offers feedback, and adjustments are made—all without writing a single line of code.
“No code. You’d give it instructions in English. That’s very possible,” Govindarajan explained.
The Two Skills That Matter Most
Through this process, the individual demonstrates two key abilities:
- Agency – The initiative to seek out problems and drive solutions.
- Mastering No-Code/Low-Code Tools – The ability to use AI-driven platforms to turn ideas into reality.
In this model, experienced coders still play a role—fine-tuning the final product once a solution proves viable. But the initial value comes from problem-solving and iteration, not traditional coding expertise.
AI and the Future of Software Development
The rise of AI-powered coding tools like GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisperer has automated many programming tasks, reshaping the industry.
- Google: AI now generates over 25% of new code, though it’s still reviewed by employees.
- Microsoft: One manager reported that AI cut his coding time by 70%.
With AI handling much of the technical heavy lifting, the demand for critical thinking, adaptability, and problem identification is increasing.
Soft Skills: The New Differentiator?
Industry leaders are recognizing that technical skills alone aren’t enough. Mark Zuckerberg emphasized this in a July Bloomberg interview:
“The most important skill is learning how to think critically and learning values when you’re young.”
He argued that those who can go deep, master a skill, and apply that knowledge to new areas will thrive—regardless of their coding expertise.
The Takeaway: Get Stuff Done
Govindarajan’s message is clear: The future belongs to those who take initiative, leverage AI effectively, and focus on solving real-world problems—not just those who can code.
Or, as he might put it: use the tools at your disposal to get stuff done.
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