The essence of coding as seen by Steve Jobs: training the mind rather than boosting productivity

Steve Jobs’ 1995 interview is resurfacing as AI coding tools make his view of programming newly relevant.

Jobs framed programming less as a job skill and more as a way to train the mind and develop thinking.

With tools like Claude Code and GitHub Copilot automating routine work, that perspective feels increasingly timely.

The renewed attention is also prompting debate about how programming should be taught and valued in AI-era education.