COBOL Coders and AI: A Symbiotic Future?
Published:Jan 19, 2026 13:05
•1 min read
•Hacker News
Analysis
The discussion on Hacker News sparks fascinating insights into the potential synergy between AI coding tools and the venerable COBOL language. It highlights the optimistic view that the core systems powering the global economy might remain largely untouched, suggesting a collaborative rather than competitive future for these technologies. This opens up exciting possibilities for enhancing existing systems!
Key Takeaways
- •The discussion originated on Hacker News, providing a real-world perspective on AI's impact.
- •The focus is on the symbiotic potential rather than the replacement of COBOL developers.
- •The core systems running the economy might be less susceptible to change.
Reference
“I feel that the mass of code that actually runs the economy is remarkably untouched by AI coding agents.”