Stanford's Code in Place saw enrollment double after AI coding tools emerged, indicating increased interest in learning to program. Chris Piech, who runs the class, explains why humans should still learn to code. He divides programming into syntax and problem-solving, with AI excelling at syntax but humans needing to master problem-solving skills. Understanding foundational architecture is crucial to catch AI's potential errors and poor structural decisions. Over-reliance on AI can lead to skill atrophy, so programmers must remain aware of their growth alongside AI tools. Coding serves as an excellent problem-solving practice ground with rapid feedback loops, unlike real-world decisions. The most valuable durable skill is identifying what is worth building and understanding user needs. AI can act as a powerful tutor, accelerating learning when used to teach fundamental concepts. The key is to use AI as a learning tool rather than a replacement for critical thinking. Human judgment, taste, and the ability to decide what to build are the most valuable skills in the AI era.