How AI coding tools are disrupting Stack Overflow and its workforce

Stack Overflow, a popular developer forum that has more than 100 million monthly visitors and 21 million questions, is facing challenges from AI-powered coding tools like ChatGPT, which can offer more specific and instant help than human-written posts. The company announced that it is laying off 28 percent of its staff, or about 100 employees, as part of its plan to reach profitability and continue product innovation.

ChatGPT is an AI coding tool developed by OpenAI, a research organization backed by Elon Musk and other tech luminaries. ChatGPT can generate code snippets and explanations based on natural language queries, such as “how to sort a list in Python” or “how to create a login page in HTML”. ChatGPT claims to be able to handle any programming language and any level of difficulty, and to provide accurate and concise answers in seconds.

ChatGPT has been gaining popularity among developers, especially beginners and hobbyists, who find it easier and faster to use than searching through Stack Overflow posts. ChatGPT also has a conversational interface that allows users to ask follow-up questions and get feedback. Some users even prefer ChatGPT over human mentors or tutors, as they feel more comfortable and…