In a fast‑moving landscape coding remains a powerful, portable skill, and those willing to keep learning will continue to thrive, according to Charlene Hunter MBE.
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The headline writers are certain: in the age of generative AI, coding is a skill that’s lost its lustre. But the truth is different. In this episode of BCS Insight Exchange, Charlene, founder and CEO of Coding Black Females, explains why learning to code still has the power to rejuvenate careers and enrich lives. The key, she says, is working with AI rather than against it — and embracing a mindset of continuous learning.
Charlene argues that while AI can already generate code, it cannot replace human judgement, experience, or responsibility. Developers are still needed to understand context, spot errors, address bias, and maintain complex legacy systems. Coding, therefore, is evolving rather than disappearing, becoming a collaborative skill where technical knowledge and AI literacy go hand in hand.
Founded in 2017, Coding Black Females was created to address the lack of community and representation experienced by black women in tech. What began as a supportive space has grown into a wide-ranging programme of bootcamps, mentoring and events that have reached thousands. Beyond technical skills, the organisation builds confidence, collaboration and opportunity — enabling career change, progression, and even wider social impact as participants go on to inspire others.
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