In March, GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke joined Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in Seoul for the “Microsoft AI Tour,” offering hands-on sessions to explore the Copilot AI Stack.
The tour reflects Dohmke’s push for an AI-powered future while reaffirming GitHub’s commitment to human programmers.
Speaking with EO Media’s YouTube channel, Dohmke’s interview quickly gained over 300,000 views, 8,200 upvotes, and 337 comments.
He emphasized that AI will transform coding, making programming more accessible and boosting developer productivity. Yet, Dohmke also stressed that the idea humans won’t need to learn coding is simply wrong.
Beyond ‘Read-Only Mode’
“I’ve been developing software since the early 1990s,” Dohmke said, introducing himself modestly before noting, “Today my role is mostly being the GitHub CEO, leading the largest developer platform on the planet.”
Yet his passion for programming remains strong. His first advice to the next generation: “You’ve got to learn coding.” With technology surrounding us daily, he said, it’s crucial not to stay in “read-only mode” but to understand and create using these tools.
Dohmke added, “You’ve got to use AI to do that.” He sees AI as a way to “democratize access to technology,” helping people overcome barriers such as language. For instance, while English dominates software development, many in Germany do not speak it fluently—AI can guide anyone to bring their ideas to life.
In an email to The New Stack, he envisioned a future where “anyone can create software as easily as uploading a video to TikTok,” often starting with a simple natural-language prompt.
Dohmke reflected on his own beginnings as a teenage programmer in East Germany, when he had no internet access and learned entirely from books, magazines, and local computer clubs. Now, five years into the AI era, he’s certain: “AI makes software development far more accessible for anyone who wants to learn coding.”
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Speed and Productivity
GitHub Copilot is already evolving into a “true peer-programming agent,” with upcoming updates allowing it to suggest the next logical changes in code. Copilot has surpassed 15 million users, quadrupling its size in just one year.
Dohmke knows the tool’s impact firsthand. Many programmers abandon projects when complexity exceeds expectations, he noted in the YouTube interview. AI helps turn ideas into reality faster, reducing frustration and accelerating development.
He envisions AI transforming software development, boosting productivity by 10% to 50% and offering a glimpse of a future where developers control an “orchestra of agents” in both personal and professional workflows.
Dohmke highlights one key advantage: AI provides an assistant with infinite patience, whether for coding or exploring new ideas.
The Need for Programmers
Dohmke emphasizes that AI will not replace human programmers. “When bugs or vulnerabilities appear—or software breaks—professional developers are still essential,” he said. Every software creator must be able to maintain their work, and experts will continue solving complex problems beyond the reach of everyday users.
He advocates for early coding education worldwide. “Every country and school system should introduce universal coding classes,” he said. Coding, he believes, should be as fundamental as literacy, math, history, physics, and the arts.
As AI takes on larger roles, coding literacy becomes even more critical. Understanding how to program and guide machines is essential, especially as we move toward advanced AI. Dohmke stresses: “AI must be autonomous only under our direction.”
AI for Code Verification
Dohmke says the idea that AI makes coding education obsolete “doesn’t add up,” comparing it to claiming math became unnecessary after calculators. He stresses the importance of developing critical thinking to “use the right tools at the right time and verify their output.”
AI plays a key role in this process. Copilot can now iterate on code, detect errors, and fix them automatically. Additional tools like Autofix help remediate vulnerabilities, while Copilot’s code review agent has reviewed over 8 million pull requests.
Companies such as Twilio, Cisco, HPE, SkyScanner, and Target are already using Copilot throughout the entire development lifecycle. Dohmke emphasizes that GitHub aims to lead in AI code generation, providing developers with tools to boost productivity and make coding more enjoyable.
Evolving Rapidly
Dohmke, whose X (formerly Twitter) profile says he’s “building GitHub Copilot for developer happiness,” believes AI could transform coding—and GitHub is ready. On LinkedIn, he praised GitHub teams for “rapidly evolving our product,” noting that what began as the first AI pair programmer is now developing into a full software engineering agent embedded directly where code lives. GitHub aims to become not just the home for repositories, but also for these AI agents.
Even so, Dohmke values human programmers. He explained that we’re far from a world where a single AI prompt could build all of GitHub or even core functions like repository storage and issue tracking. Creating viable software requires thousands of complex decisions about frameworks, languages, operating systems, and user experience.
“Getting to a point where agents can make all these decisions and build an app that achieves market fit, a great UX, and generates revenue is still distant,” he said. Engineers remain essential to exercise craft, apply systems thinking, and build exceptional applications.
‘You’re Never Done’
Dohmke’s final advice: always keep learning. “You’re never done,” he said, reflecting on his own 30-year journey in software development.
Looking back, he notes that staying current required constantly reading blogs, literature, and experimenting on his own. Today, the difference is access—developers now have far more information and resources at their fingertips, making lifelong learning more achievable than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant that helps developers write, review, and optimize code efficiently.
How many people use GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot has over 15 million users, quadrupling its size in just one year.
Will AI replace human programmers?
No. GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke emphasizes that human developers are essential for maintaining software, solving complex problems, and ensuring quality.
How does AI improve coding productivity?
AI can suggest code, detect errors, fix vulnerabilities, and streamline workflows, increasing developer productivity by 10–50%.
Why is coding education still important?
Coding literacy helps individuals understand, create, and manage technology. Dohmke advocates for universal coding education starting at an early age.
Can AI verify and fix code automatically?
Yes. Tools like Copilot and Autofix iterate on code, identify errors, remediate vulnerabilities, and assist in code review.
What advice does Thomas Dohmke give developers?
He encourages lifelong learning, using AI wisely, and maintaining creativity and critical thinking—reminding developers, “You’re never done.”
Conclusion
GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke envisions a future where AI and human programmers work hand in hand. While AI tools like Copilot enhance productivity, automate code verification, and democratize access to programming, the need for skilled developers remains critical. Dohmke emphasizes lifelong learning, coding literacy, and the creative problem-solving that only humans can provide. By embracing AI as a partner rather than a replacement, developers can accelerate innovation while ensuring quality, security, and ingenuity in software development.
