Claude could replace routine tasks
At Anthropic, a US-based AI startup, the coding work is changing fast. Jack Clark, cofounder of the company, said Claude, their AI coding tool, now writes “comfortably the majority” of the company’s code. If development moves quickly, Claude could handle almost all coding by the end of 2026. Clark explained that this does not mean engineers are being replaced. Instead, the work itself is changing. AI handles routine coding tasks, which were usually done by junior engineers. This frees humans to focus on higher-level decisions, design, and problem-solving.
Senior engineers gain importance
As Claude takes over basic work, the skills that matter most are experience, judgment, and intuition. Clark said the value of junior engineers is “a bit more dubious” because AI can do simple tasks. On the other hand, senior engineers are more important than ever. They guide AI, make complex decisions, and improve overall software quality. Clark described this as “O-ring automation.” It means when one part of the work becomes automated, humans move to the more difficult parts that AI cannot handle. Over time, this can lead to further automation in other areas, but human oversight and experience remain crucial.
No layoff
Even with Claude taking over most coding, Anthropic is not reducing its workforce. The company employs more engineers now than it did two years ago. Clark confirmed that there are at least 100 software engineering roles open on Anthropic’s careers page. The focus is on hiring experienced engineers who can manage AI-driven workflows.
