The Value of Literacy: Why it’s More Important Than Coding in the Age of AI

by Karen Abrams, MBA EdD ’25, AA
1st in a series about how artificial intelligence will change everything
In the digital age we live in, coding is often viewed as a critical skill that one must learn to succeed. With the increasing demand for software developers and the rise of technology-based careers, it’s easy to see why many people believe that coding is the key to success. However, while coding may be valuable, it is not the only skill that is necessary for success.

In fact, I believe that literacy is more important than coding. By literacy, I mean the ability to read, write, and communicate effectively. These skills are fundamental to success in any field, not just in technology. While coding is certainly a valuable skill to have, it is not the only one. The ability to read, write, and communicate effectively is critical in almost every aspect of life.

Moreover, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, it’s possible that coding may become obsolete in the near future. For instance, I recently experienced a programming issue in an application I designed. I was desperate to fix the problem but couldn’t find a developer to help. So, I described the issue in chat.openai and received four possible solutions within seconds. After selecting the most likely solution, I asked more questions and discovered that the problem was in the formatting of the data in the SQL database. I was even given the SQL code to fix the issue. Despite being great at designing software components, I am not a coder. On that day, I saved $100 USD and valuable time by using the AI chat to identify and resolve the problem.

This example demonstrates how AI can perform coding tasks that humans used to do. As AI technology continues to develop, it’s likely that many of the tasks currently performed by human coders will be automated. This is not to say that coding will become entirely obsolete, but rather that its importance may diminish. As a result, it’s essential for individuals to develop a diverse set of skills, rather than relying solely on coding.  At STEMGuyana, our focus is to develop innovators, problem solvers and future leaders in any industry.  We are less interested in developing coders.  Our goal is to develop thinkers.

So, what additional skills should individuals focus on developing? Literacy is one of the most important. The ability to read, write, and communicate effectively is critical in almost every aspect of life. Whether you’re writing a job application, communicating with your coworkers, or trying to persuade someone to see your point of view, literacy is essential.  It is also the most important area of opportunity for the Ministry of Education.  If they are able to solve the massive literacy problem faced by Guyana’s K-12 student population, they would have achieved an astounding success.

Other crucial skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability. These skills are valuable in any field, not just in technology. They allow individuals to approach problems in new and innovative ways, adapt to changing circumstances, and think critically about complex issues.