“Ask David” Question:
I’m a junior frontend developer with about a year of experience, and lately I’ve been uneasy about how fast AI tools are advancing. I keep seeing claims that junior developers are the most at risk, and it makes me question whether the skills I’m building now will still matter a few years from now. From a practical, technical standpoint, how concerned should I be – and what should I actually be focusing on to stay relevant?
Answer:
Let’s cut through the hype: AI is not a replacement for developers, especially not for anyone building real websites. Here’s the technical reality:
- AI struggles with context.
It can generate code snippets, but it doesn’t understand your full codebase, dependencies, or business logic. Real-world websites involve countless small decisions – layout quirks, API integrations, performance trade-offs, accessibility fixes – that AI can’t handle reliably. - Frontend work is integration work.
Writing a component is one thing. Making it work across browsers, connecting it to backend systems, ensuring it scales, and maintaining it over time? That’s all human work. AI can assist, but it can’t replace the developer who knows why a decision was made and how to fix it months later. - AI is terrible at maintenance.
Debugging, refactoring, and extending features over months or years requires judgment and foresight. AI-generated code will often break in ways that require human intervention – sometimes more work than writing it yourself. - Focus on building real projects, not just setup.
The fastest way to grow as a frontend developer is by working on real sites instead of spending all your time on boilerplate. Whether you’re using a website builder like UltimateWB or a custom setup, the goal is the same: build layouts, add features, handle interactions, and understand how real websites are structured – things AI can’t replace. - Junior developers who master fundamentals are safe.
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, responsive design, user experience, and accessibility are all skills AI can’t fully replicate. Anyone who understands how to structure a site, integrate features, and solve real problems will remain valuable.
Related: The Most Important HTML and CSS Codes You Should Know (Even If You Use a Website Builder)
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Bottom line:
AI is a tool, not a replacement. The developers who thrive aren’t the ones who panic about headlines; they’re the ones who focus on building, learning, and shipping real projects. If you’re consistently creating full-featured websites – whether with a website builder like UltimateWB or custom setups – you’re doing exactly what will keep you relevant in the coming years.
For more on the limits of AI in website building:
- AI Website Builders That Say “No‑Code” – But Actually Aren’t
- Website Builder vs AI Writing Your Code
AI might speed up small tasks, but it can’t replace thinking, problem-solving, or creating websites that actually work – and those are exactly the skills that make you a valuable frontend developer.
And even common sense can be hard for AI: Google AI Says to put Elmer’s Glue in Your Pizza Sauce…How Smart Is AI Really?
Related: Make Your Website Content Skimmable: Boost Engagement and User Experience
What Makes a Simple Website Feel Trustworthy? (From Real User Experience, Not Theory)
Valid HTML Isn’t OCD – It’s Smart SEO, Accessibility, and Professionalism
Looking for a website builder that is flexible, customizable like writing code from scratch, sleek and runs fast? Learn more about UltimateWB!
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.