Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu Asks: Is JavaScript Still Relevant in the AI Age?

In a thought-provoking piece shared with The Economic Times, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu is urging the tech world to reevaluate its reliance on familiar programming tools, such as JavaScript, C, and HTML/CSS, in the face of rapidly advancing AI development.

For decades, these languages have been the backbone of the modern internet. From dynamic web pages to software frameworks, they’ve powered countless innovations. But as AI reshapes how software is written, deployed, and interacted with, Vembu questions whether these once-revolutionary tools are still fit for purpose.

Vembu argues that developers need to rethink traditional coding paradigms, especially as AI models become increasingly capable of generating and interpreting code autonomously.

Instead of focusing solely on syntax and language mechanics, future development may shift toward intent-based programming, where human input becomes more about defining goals and workflows than writing lines of code.

Vembu’s comments have sparked debate in tech circles, with some agreeing that the future may demand more adaptive, high-level abstractions built specifically for AI-enhanced development. Others point out that foundational languages like JavaScript still play a crucial role, especially in maintaining legacy systems and ensuring interoperability.

Regardless of one's stance, the message is clear: the industry must remain open to evolution. As tools like GitHub Copilot, OpenAI Codex, and other AI assistants gain traction, the definition of “programming” may be on the brink of a transformation.

In this AI-first future, success might not come from mastering a specific language, but from understanding how to collaborate with machines, and knowing when to let go of tools that no longer serve us.