Funny, I don't remember this wailing when every other industry was destroyed. When cars replaced horses, planes replaced ships, computers replaced typists, phones replaced travel agents.
But replace the programmers? Woe is us, the end of humanity is here. How do we save ourselves from the machines?
Planes didn't replace ships. Ships travel was always for the rich and now we have luxury cruises. Planes offered a cheaper quicker but rougher experience. Cars replaced horses.
Typist moved to computer typist or data entry. Travel agents still exist but that career is dead.
I think programmers have already been replaced now you manage an ai programmer. Next leap will remove that role and many others.
Not really :) - My parents traveled by ship between the UK and South Africa in the 70's. And they certainly weren't in the "rich" category, and it wasn't a "holiday cruise", it was "how to get from here to there".
>> Cars replaced horses.
Exactly my point. There was a huge industry around horses (stabling, grooming, farriers, vets, cleaning the streets etc) and all that went away. Yes there were new industries (mechanics, panel-beaters etc), and that's the point. Change happened, and people adapted...