The irreplaceable technologist: building capacities, not just skills

Many people are asking what it means to be a software engineer and technologist in 2025.

If AI can generate code, design products, and even make complex decisions, where does that leave engineers?

At Codesmith, we see it differently. 

Rather than diminishing the role of engineers, AI is redefining what it means to be a technologist.

For the past decade, we’ve developed a teaching method that equips our residents to adapt to these shifts—not by focusing solely on skills, but by building deeper capacities. These capacities are the enduring qualities that enable our alums to keep learning, evolving, and staying at the forefront of technology as it continues to change.

The difference between capacities and skills

Traditional institutions tend to prioritize the teaching of certain skills—concrete, teachable abilities like learning a particular programming language or mastering a new framework. But skills alone can be fragile. Languages become outdated. Tools get replaced. What remains valuable is the underlying capacity to learn, adapt, think critically, and solve problems that haven’t even been defined yet.

When our CEO and co-founder Will Sentance was a university student at Oxford University, a professor taught him how to build mental models—ways of understanding complexity that could be applied across domains. This wasn’t about memorizing information; it was about developing a mental models that would allow him to navigate any challenge.

At Codesmith, we’ve taken that philosophy and embedded it into everything we do. These are centered around the following core capacities: 

Problem-solving as a muscle

Great engineers aren’t the ones who never get stuck. They’re the ones who know how to move forward when they do. Our programs push residents into increasingly challenging problems, forcing them to confront obstacles and build a memory bank of success through persistence. Over time, this forges an unshakable confidence: no matter what the problem is, you know you can solve it.

“The hardest thing in engineering isn’t writing the code. It’s realizing that even great code still doesn’t always work the way you expect. The context around your code is always shifting, and that’s why we focus so much on problem solving. Once you learn to navigate unfamiliar territory and push through roadblocks, everything changes.”

                                              Marselena Sequoia, Engineering Mentor at Codesmith

Technical communication: thinking and speaking like an engineer

Being a strong engineer isn’t just about what you build - it’s about how you communicate. Can you explain a technical concept to someone in a way they truly understand? Can you articulate an approach that bridges the gap between deep technical knowledge and broader team alignment?

One of our core teaching methods is pair programming, where one resident explains a problem while the other executes. It’s not just about learning to write better code—it’s about learning to think out loud, refine ideas, and integrate perspectives.

“Some engineers need to deeply understand a system before  they start coding. Others dive in and iterate as they go. At Codesmith, we teach you to do both. The ability to shift between these mindsets is what makes a great technologist.” 

                          Will Sentance, CEO of Codesmith

Non-technical communication: building with empathy

The best engineers understand users, teammates, and stakeholders. They recognize that technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Without the capacity for genuine communication and collaboration, even the most technically brilliant work can fail to make an impact.

This is why we emphasize not just technical rigor but also deep engagement with the human side of technology. When you understand the needs of the people around you, you don’t just build software—you build solutions that matter.

Why this matters now more than ever

As tools become more powerful, the differentiating factor won’t be how fast you can write a function, but how well you can apply technology to real-world challenges. The most valuable engineers will be the ones who can think critically, communicate effectively, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.

The Codesmith approach: preparing for the future

At Codesmith, we build these capacities through a learning environment that mirrors the challenges of the real world. Our programs are designed to push residents out of their comfort zones, encouraging autonomy, collaboration, and deep thinking.

1. Going under the hood

We don’t just teach tools—we teach how and why those tools exist. This gives residents the ability to adapt as the landscape changes.

2. Socratic learning

We use the Oxford tutorial model to help engineers develop autonomy over ideas, rather than relying on rote memorization.

3. Frontier tech

Alongside our focus on fundamental engineering principles, we also train residents in the most frontier tech—so they can leverage AI, not be replaced by it.

4. A thriving community

Learning isn’t just about content; it’s about the people you learn with. Codesmith’s tight-knit alumni network offers support, mentorship, and career opportunities long after graduation.

If you’re looking for a program that doesn’t just teach you how to code but equips you with the capacities to thrive in any technical field, we’d love to have you. 

At Codesmith, we’re building a new generation of technologists—problem-solvers, communicators, and leaders who are ready to build, guide and lead what is coming next.

To learn more check out our Software Engineering/AI+ML immersive program. 

Because at the end of the day, skills will come and go. But capacities? Those last a lifetime.