We are not claiming that Claude Sonnet 4.5 will replace all programmers, but it does signal the disappearance of the entry-level coding jobs. Well, just like automation started replacing factory floor helpers before the managers, AI is taking a swing at junior developers and coders.
Disappearance of The Entry-Level Ladder
Traditional software careers followed a steady climb, junior developers took over the routine coding, built skills through apprenticeships, and progressed to senior developers. But with Claud Sonnet 4.5 running these tasks around the clock, the bottom rung of the ladder disappears. Why hire a junior developer at $70,000-$90,000 a year, when AI delivers the same output without onboarding, benefits, and breaks?
The same logic has already played out elsewhere. Amazon’s cashless stores eliminated the need for entry-level retails clerks and customer support staff, also the self-service kiosks at McDonald’s and other chains have steadily replaced the front-line cashiers. What began in retail is creeping into white-collar roles now.
The Catch 22
This convenience comes at the cost of less human stake. The shift towards AI creates a brutal catch-22. Aspiring developers wouldn’t be able to gain real-world experience because the entry-level job will be gone. Hence, they wouldn’t be able to qualify for the senior positions without prior experience.
Over time this doesn’t just hinder individuals’ path to progress but affects the entire professional pipeline. Without a generation of junior learning by the method of doing it, the industry risks a shortage of seasoned experts in future. With this induction of Claud Sonnet 4.5, the path from beginner to expert is further narrowed.
The Myth of Productivity
OpenAI pulled in about $4.3 billion in revenue in 2025, already surpassing the previous year’s revenue by 16%. Nvidia, meanwhile, saw its stok skyrocketing after announcing a $100 Billion partnership with OpenAI and not to forget Anthropic also reported a historic $183 Billion valuation which pulled the company up among the big players.
On paper, these headlines look like proof of AI’s promise: faster growth, booming profits, and record-breaking valuations. But peel back the numbers, and you have a harsh reality in your face; the real winners are the tech giants and the investors putting billions into AI.
The mush-touted “EFFICINEY” often translates into fewer human roles, not more value for the people. The technology does not augment the labour at scale, it replaces it, consolidating wealth at the hands of the few, hallowing opportunities for the many.