Why Big-Time Programmers are Being Influenced by ChatGPT and More

As we’ve recently discussed, the emergence of ChatGPT, Midjourney, DALL-E and other tools is taking a variety of industries by storm. We’re going beyond Google-type queries to practically have back-and-forth dialogue with these tools to arrive at more profound results for what we seek in seconds. Nobody can predict which of these will be left standing since several more will be introduced, but we can say the usage is exploding.

The big question is: Are the most respected people within specific industries using these technologies themselves, lending further credibility to them? In the technical space, the answer is a resounding Yes.

Here’s where the use of ChatGPT gets very interesting – some of the best programmers on the planet are already finding themselves influenced by it.  A programmer can start with a blank slate writing code and use ChatGPT for foundational coding.

The programmer can then layer GitHub Copilot on top of that for further complexity (Copilot is a tool from Microsoft that uses OpenAI to suggest code and entire functions in real time). How so? Amid that programmer’s coding, Copilot will recognize what that individual aims to do, even without any prompts. It may then create a message that asks, “Could you use something like this,” and then offer suggestions for the type of code you could use.


Andrej Karpathy, the Senior Director of AI at Tesla for five years, was quoted last year as saying that GitHub Copilot influences as much as 50% of his code. A year later, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella estimates that Copilot now influences 80% of Karpathy’s code.

The fact that top programmers like Karpathy are finding Copilot so useful should put everyone else on notice that if they’re not using Copilot, they’d undoubtedly better start.


Talman Advantage #7: We Already Know Many People At The Top

The built-in advantage of being a more specialized recruiter for over three decades is that Roy Talman & Associates established many strong relationships with senior leaders in the C-suite and Director level. How do we truly leverage that? Prior to your interview, we can provide you terrific insight on the person’s background, the questions they’re likely to ask you and even a few clues into why prior candidates were likely rejected.

A recruiter that equips you with more information in advance of the interview? That just might make all the difference – if you Talk To Talman First.


Even those who need to improve in the use of Copilot should see results equivalent to what you might expect from a mid-level programmer. However, if you’re a world-class programmer such as Andrej Karpathy, using Copilot could enable dramatic results (otherwise, why use it?). The potential of these tools in the hands of elite programmers will be tremendous.

That said, you don’t have to be the most excellent programmer alive to advance in this new era. The sooner you can get highly comfortable utilizing AI tools such as Copilot in your everyday work, the more likely you will find an increased opportunity to grow and thrive in your career.


Roy Talman & Associates can guide you on this path while shedding light on the emerging roles in the technical space to match your skillset and ambition. With decades of experience to rely on, we can tell you this: Don’t take a “wait and see” approach when it comes to embracing new technologies. Make the possibilities for your career happen when you Talk To Talman First.