Tech Firms Push AI Speed Yet Still Test Manual Coding Skills in Interviews

A growing contradiction has emerged in the tech industry, where companies champion AI-driven development for speed and cost efficiency while continuing to test candidates on manual, syntax-level coding during hiring. Critics argue that if AI tools can handle boilerplate and routine code generation, requiring developers to write code from memory may no longer reflect real engineering ability. The debate centers on whether true ownership of a product lies in typing code or in making architectural decisions, defining data models, and directing system design. Proponents of AI-assisted development compare engineers to architects who oversee construction rather than lay every brick themselves. The disconnect raises broader questions about how the industry should redefine engineering competence in an era of increasingly capable AI coding tools.