Netflix Engineer: AI Won't End Software Jobs

Anthony Goto, a staff engineer at Netflix, has stated that he does not believe artificial intelligence will end software engineering careers. With 15 years of experience spanning Netflix and Uber, Goto frequently mentors recent graduates who express anxiety about job prospects. He argues that AI functions as another layer of abstraction, similar to a high-level programming language, which will democratize coding rather than eliminate it. Goto predicts that the demand for more applications and ecosystems will grow, requiring more engineers. He advises newcomers to focus on System Design to stay competitive. Goto draws parallels to the video game industry, where engines like id Tech expanded the market despite changing the nature of programming work.

Anthony Goto frequently encounters anxiety from recent graduates regarding the future of their careers. He notes that AI-related worries are among the top concerns he hears when mentoring employees or speaking with students preparing for interviews. Goto acknowledges that there is no shortage of opinions regarding the value of computer science degrees given the rapid rise of agentic AI tools. However, he reassures graduates that their job prospects are not hopeless.

Goto views the current trajectory of AI as a catalyst for increased demand rather than a replacement for human engineers. He explains that as tools make coding more accessible, the hunger for functionality and new ecosystems will grow. "We're going to see some amazing things, but our hunger for more functionality, more apps, more ecosystems is just gonna get higher, and higher, and higher," Goto said. He believes this shift will lead to a world where everyone can code, necessitating more engineering work to manage the expanded digital landscape.

Goto characterizes artificial intelligence not as a job killer, but as a tool that simplifies complex processes. He compares the rise of AI to the evolution of video game engines. He suggests that just as game engines allowed a broader range of people to participate in game development, AI will allow more people to participate in software engineering. This abstraction does not remove the need for skilled oversight and system architecture.

To illustrate his point, Goto references John Carmack, the lead programmer of Doom. Carmack noted in 2025 that software progress has made some of his early work "as irrelevant as chariot wheel maintenance." Goto argues that while specific low-level tasks become obsolete, the industry expands to create new, more complex challenges. "Game engines have radically expanded the range of people involved in game dev, even as they deemphasized the importance of much of my beloved system engineering," Carmack wrote. Goto believes AI will follow this same trajectory, serving as a powerful abstraction layer that democratizes the process.

Despite his optimism, Goto admits that his prediction could be inaccurate. However, he bases his outlook on the historical trajectory of technological advancements. He argues that the industry has seen many instances where complex processes are abstracted away in powerful ways. The result is rarely the elimination of the profession, but rather a shift in the required skill sets. Goto envisions a future where engineers wield System Design as a primary tool.

Goto emphasizes the importance of adapting to these changes. He advises engineers to ensure they get a handle on System Design. "In the future, we may likely end up wielding system design like a tool," he stated. As AI handles more of the routine coding, the value of understanding how systems interact and scale will become paramount. The role of the engineer will shift from writing every line of code to orchestrating complex systems using advanced tools.

The conversation around AI and software engineering is often dominated by fears of obsolescence. Anthony Goto offers a counter-narrative rooted in historical context and industry experience. By viewing AI as a democratizing force similar to video game engines, he paints a picture of an expanding industry rather than a shrinking one. The key to survival in this evolving landscape is adaptability and a focus on high-level architectural skills. For the current generation of engineers, the message is clear: the tools will change, but the need for skilled builders will remain.