Artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming the software engineering profession, according to Avishai Abrahami, CEO and cofounder of Wix, a leading website management company. In a recent interview with Business Insider, Abrahami argued that AI isn’t replacing software engineers—it’s making them significantly more skilled and productive.
Abrahami describes AI tools as giving developers “superpowers,” enabling them to complete tasks that previously took a month in just a few hours. He emphasizes that while not every task can be accelerated to this degree, the majority can benefit from AI assistance. This productivity boost means that “the value of smart, talented engineers will be dramatically enhanced” through AI integration.
AI adoption among software professionals has surged dramatically, with a Google Cloud report from September revealing that 90% of software professionals now use AI tools—a 14% increase from the previous year. This widespread adoption is reshaping hiring requirements and job expectations across the tech industry.
For entry-level candidates, Abrahami states that baseline technical competency now includes both coding skills and understanding of AI models. “Every company” looks for these dual capabilities as a starting point. However, beyond technical skills, Wix prioritizes hiring candidates with a “tremendous amount of passion” for software engineering. This passion has become even more critical in the AI era because “the speed of change is so fast that you have to spend a lot of time learning and experimenting,” according to Abrahami.
John Stecher, Blackstone’s chief technology officer, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the best junior engineers possess “insane skill sets” and deep passion for their work. As AI tools handle more routine coding tasks, companies increasingly seek engineers who understand how to effectively use these tools and recognize when they produce incorrect outputs.
The role of senior engineers is also evolving significantly. Abrahami predicts their work will shift toward architecture and code review rather than writing code directly. Experienced engineers will need to read and comprehend code “much faster,” with architecture, software design, and code comprehension becoming even more critical skills.
However, Abrahami warns that AI represents a double-edged sword for the profession: “You can do so much more if you’re smart, and you can do really bad things if you’re not.”
Key Quotes
What would take you a month, you can do in a few hours
Avishai Abrahami, Wix CEO, describes the dramatic productivity gains AI tools provide to software engineers, though he notes not every task can be accelerated to this degree.
The quality of the software engineer is more important than ever
Abrahami explains that despite—or perhaps because of—AI’s emergence, the skill and talent of individual engineers has become more critical, as AI amplifies both good and bad engineering decisions.
Now with AI, the speed of change is so fast that you have to spend a lot of time learning and experimenting
The Wix CEO emphasizes why passion has become an essential trait for entry-level engineers, as the rapid evolution of AI tools requires constant adaptation and learning.
You can do so much more if you’re smart. And you can do really bad things if you’re not
Abrahami warns about AI’s double-edged nature, highlighting how these powerful tools amplify both the capabilities of skilled engineers and the mistakes of less competent ones.
Our Take
This article captures a nuanced reality that contradicts the simplistic “AI will replace programmers” narrative. Instead, we’re seeing AI as an amplifier of human capability—a pattern emerging across knowledge work professions. The emphasis on passion and continuous learning is particularly telling; as routine coding becomes automated, the differentiator becomes cognitive flexibility and genuine engagement with the craft.
The shift from code writing to architecture and review for senior engineers mirrors historical technology transitions. When high-level programming languages emerged, the focus moved from machine code to system design. AI represents the next abstraction layer, pushing engineers further up the value chain.
However, Abrahami’s warning about AI being a “double-edged sword” deserves attention. As these tools lower barriers to entry, they may also lower quality standards if organizations aren’t careful about hiring and training. The industry faces a critical challenge: ensuring AI democratizes capability rather than just amplifying existing skill gaps.
Why This Matters
This story highlights a critical inflection point in the software engineering profession as AI tools become ubiquitous. With 90% adoption rates among software professionals, AI is no longer optional—it’s fundamental to how modern development work gets done. The implications extend far beyond individual productivity gains.
For businesses, this transformation means they can accomplish more with leaner teams, but it also raises the bar for hiring. Companies must now evaluate candidates not just on traditional coding skills but on their ability to leverage AI tools effectively and their capacity for continuous learning.
For workers and job seekers, the message is clear: technical skills alone are insufficient. The combination of AI proficiency, coding knowledge, and genuine passion for the field has become the new baseline. Junior engineers must be prepared for rapid, continuous learning, while senior engineers need to evolve from code writers to architects and reviewers.
The broader trend suggests that AI is amplifying human capabilities rather than replacing them, but it’s also creating a wider gap between highly skilled engineers who can leverage these tools effectively and those who cannot. This could lead to increased income inequality within the profession and reshape career trajectories across the tech industry.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/wix-ceo-says-entry-level-engineers-need-this-trait-2026-1