Artificial intelligence has stormed into the IT industry. In recent years, tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and specialized IDEs with AI assistants (e.g., Cursor) have become an everyday reality for many developers. In Poland—as well as globally—this raises questions about the future of developer jobs. Are backend developers safer on the job market than frontend developers, or is it the other way around? Which role will benefit more, and which will face greater pressure from AI by 2026? Below, we analyze both specializations, taking into account the Polish IT job market as well as broader European and global trends.
AI in the Daily Work of Developers
AI assistants are changing the way code is written. Both frontend and backend developers increasingly rely on “intelligent autocomplete” and AI-based code generation. For example, GitHub Copilot can suggest entire code fragments based on project context. In frontend development, this means entire UI components or styling blocks—AI might propose a ready-to-use loading button tailored to the project’s CSS framework and design rules. Instead of painstakingly writing UI code from scratch, the developer can focus on UX logic and fine-tuning details. In backend development, AI speeds up creating data models, controllers, and API documentation. Generating CRUD boilerplate or describing endpoints with comments now takes minutes instead of hours. What’s more, some teams train their own models (e.g., based on Codex/GPT) on internal code so that AI generates service code consistent with company conventions. The result? A significant reduction in task completion time—according to company reports, a backend sprint can be shortened by as much as half.
AI as a "co-developer" is also effective in testing and debugging. Tools can automatically generate drafts of unit or integration tests based on feature descriptions—previously a tedious chore for developers. In short, AI doesn’t replace developers but makes their work faster and more efficient, shifting their focus to creative aspects rather than repetitive coding. Teams that adopt AI effectively deliver software more frequently and with higher quality, while experiencing less stress.
Automation of Tasks: What AI Can Do, and What Still Requires Humans
Advances in AI highlight which parts of a developer’s job can be automated. In general, machines are easier to train on repetitive, structured tasks than on creative thinking or solving unusual problems. In practice, both frontend and backend development include many routine tasks susceptible to automation:
Frontend – code and layout generation: Modern AI can generate ready-made HTML/CSS based on text descriptions or even graphics (design-to-code). Copilot and similar assistants handle boilerplate very well: component structure in React/Vue, routing, or webpack configuration. For example, describing a registration form in a comment can prompt the model to propose a full code block with fields, validation, and basic styling. Additionally, AI-powered no-code/low-code tools can build simple interfaces without writing code. This is the so-called vibe coding—a way of building apps using language models, where the programmer acts as the AI operator. There are already prototypes capable of generating a complete front-and-backend application from text descriptions—from API configuration to responsive UI components. These solutions still require human review and refinement, but they demonstrate the automation potential.
Backend – routine logic and integrations: Many business backends are filled with repeatable patterns—CRUD handling for different modules, similar controllers for various entities, repetitive database queries. This is exactly the type of work where AI shines. Assistants can generate controller–service–model structures for a new resource based on a handful of prompts (e.g., “create a product management API with fields X, Y, Z”), following best practices of the chosen framework. Integrations are similar—cloud services and libraries can already generate API clients or queue connection code from a set of parameters. AI also performs well in automatic documentation writing (e.g., generating OpenAPI/Swagger descriptions from code) and suggesting performance improvements. For example, it can propose better indexing for an SQL query or refactor code for optimization.
Of course, some areas still require human expertise. Frontend involves aesthetics, understanding user needs, and adapting the interface to evolving business requirements—AI can propose ideas, but developers evaluate quality, ensure accessibility (WCAG), and refine UX. Backend involves system architecture design, data structure decisions, security, and reliability—areas where human experience is still crucial. In practice, we can expect a model where algorithms take over repetitive tasks, while humans focus on conceptual and strategic work. Companies adopting automation often don’t instantly reduce team sizes, but shift responsibilities—employees are encouraged to develop new skills rather than repeat the same tasks endlessly.
Job Market: Frontend vs Backend Demand in Poland and Globally
A few years ago, job postings for frontend and backend developers dominated the IT landscape. During the tech boom (2018–2021), companies massively hired web developers, and frontend/backend made up the bulk of listings. But the market has changed. According to No Fluff Jobs, the share of pure frontend roles has been steadily declining—from around 20% of all IT postings a few years ago to below that threshold today, and still falling. Backend developers remain in high demand in Poland, though their dominance has also slightly decreased. In 2024, one in five IT job ads concerned backend roles (~20%), but combined listings for Backend, Frontend, and Fullstack now represent only ~36% of the market—whereas just a few years earlier these categories accounted for more than half of all vacancies. The trend is clear: companies increasingly look for other specialists (cloud, AI, data analysis, cybersecurity), while hiring slightly fewer “regular” developers—though expecting higher skill levels.
Globally, we see a similar trend. An analysis of 180 million job postings from 2023–2025 shows that the total number of software engineering roles remains stable—AI is not eliminating programmers as a whole. However, within the group, an interesting shift appears: demand for frontend developers dropped noticeably in 2025. According to research by Henley Chiu, frontend engineering saw the largest decline among all engineering roles. The author suggests this is due to tools that make UI creation easier (“vibe coding” in Replit, Bolt.new, etc.), reducing the need for developers to produce simple front-end interfaces manually. Experienced frontend engineers are still needed for advanced projects, but the market may require fewer people for simple website or dashboard coding. On the other hand, backend systems in large applications retain their complexity and value—employers still appreciate specialists in complex business logic, multi-service integrations, and server performance optimization. In short, backend depth is harder to commoditize than front-end tasks. Put simply: “complex backend remains valuable, while basic frontend work is becoming slightly more commoditized.”
Salaries for both specializations remain similar. Polish market data (B2B median rates for 2025) show that frontend and backend developers earn almost the same—e.g., regular backend dev ~19.7k PLN vs. frontend ~17.9k PLN, senior backend ~25.7k vs. frontend ~24.9k PLN. Differences of a few percent come mainly from technology and experience, not specialization. For now, the market doesn’t financially favor either role—high-skill frontend and backend developers are both well paid. However, the ease of finding a job may increasingly depend on skill breadth rather than job title.
Who Benefits and Who Loses from AI Development?
There is no doubt that AI will be a catalyst for change in developer job profiles. The question “will AI take our jobs?” is no longer speculative—large companies are already reducing hiring in areas they have automated, while investing heavily in AI teams. For example, in 2025 Salesforce laid off more than 1,000 employees in roles considered routine, while simultaneously opening new AI job postings; Microsoft reduced around 6,000 positions, citing among other reasons a surge in AI-generated code usage. The message from the job market is clear: people performing repetitive, automatable tasks must reskill or expand their competencies, or their roles will gradually disappear. Conversely, demand is rapidly growing for specialists who create, operate, and supervise AI tools—from machine learning engineers to data scientists to developers integrating AI into applications.
How does this translate into frontend vs backend? Both roles can benefit or lose, depending on whether—and how—they adapt to the new reality.
Frontend developer in the age of AI – simple websites can now be generated even by non-technical users using AI-assisted builders, which means less demand for juniors handling basic tasks. Additionally, many companies, instead of hiring several separate frontend developers, are opting for full-stack developers who can handle both front and back (with AI support). As a result, the typical role of an “HTML/CSS coder” is losing significance. However, this does not mean frontend developers will become unnecessary. On the contrary—the expectations for them are increasing. Frontend specialists are already expanding their skill sets into UX design, accessibility (WCAG), frontend performance optimization, and even basic backend knowledge. A developer who understands the full user experience, can build interfaces aligned with user needs, and meet regulatory requirements (for example, the European EAA 2025 mandates accessibility standards) will remain in high demand. Meanwhile, someone who can only slice layouts into HTML based on narrow instructions may be replaced by an automated system or by a more versatile colleague supported by AI. In summary, the frontend developer of the future will likely become more than “just” an interface coder—rather, a product engineer operating at the intersection of technology and design.
Backend developer in the age of AI – backend developers work on the “invisible” part of applications: business logic, databases, performance, security. AI has also made major progress here in recent years (as described earlier, code generation and automated testing are already everyday practices). However, the core of backend work, especially in larger systems, still requires substantial analysis and architectural thinking, which cannot be solved with a single click. For this reason, demand for strong backend developers remains solid, and their skill sets are evolving toward more specialized roles. Such developers increasingly need to understand cloud technologies, DevOps, containerization, scaling microservices, and even the basics of AI (e.g., implementing models or integrating with ML services. In Poland, the number of backend job postings in recent years has not declined as sharply as frontend listings—in fact, according to NFJ data for 2022–2023, their share slightly increased. This suggests companies still need experts for the “engines” of applications. Still, the role is changing: routine Java or Python boilerplate will be automated, so the backend developer of the future will focus on more complex challenges. It is likely that backend developers will move closer to the role of “system architects”, who use AI to quickly prototype solutions and then polish and oversee them. Those who limit themselves to being a “human API generator”—writing the same endpoints over and over—may indeed feel threatened by AI. But specialists providing unique value (solution design, optimization, integration of multiple services) will remain sought after, because AI cannot fully replace them.
It is worth noting that the line between frontend and backend is beginning to blur. More and more often, companies are looking for full-stack developers who combine skills from both worlds. Moreover, according to experts, a full skill package + AI is the recipe for the most in-demand IT professional. As one Polish market commentator put it: “Full-stack developers are the golden standard of IT, combining frontend, backend, and AI in a single role.” Such people are extremely valuable to companies—flexible and capable of handling tasks end-to-end, especially as AI tools reduce the workload. This also indicates that in uncertain times, companies prefer to hire fewer people with broader competencies. For employees, this means the need for continuous upskilling and stepping outside narrow specializations.
Forecasts for 2026: New Requirements and Skills
So what might the Polish programmer job market look like in 2026? Most analyses predict moderate employment stability, but under certain conditions. First and foremost, expectations around AI and automation tools will rise significantly. Even today, junior developers in interviews are asked not only about algorithms or framework knowledge but also about their ability to use tools like ChatGPT/Copilot. We can safely assume that by 2026 AI proficiency will become essential—just as knowledge of version control or CI/CD pipelines once did. Employers will expect developers to effectively “pair-program” with AI—meaning they must know how to write good prompts, verify and refine AI-generated code, and maintain ethical standards (e.g., avoiding leakage of internal code to public chatbots).
Soft skills and domain understanding will gain importance. As purely technical tasks become increasingly automated, specialists who understand the broader business context will stand out. Data shows that companies favor developers who bring extra value, such as analytics knowledge, understanding of the client’s industry, or the ability to collaborate with product teams. A programmer who understands the product deeply, not just their portion of the code, will become a “premium” candidate. This is why frontend and backend engineers alike are learning product thinking, asking “why are we building this feature?”, and suggesting improvements rather than blindly implementing specifications.
Future-oriented sectors in Polish IT will also shape desired skills. AI/ML, Big Data, and cybersecurity are experiencing rapid growth. Developers who, in addition to their primary role, can implement machine learning models, secure applications, or optimize cloud infrastructure will have an advantage. It’s worth noting that categories such as AI, Data Science, Cloud, and DevOps show double-digit growth in Polish job postings. On the other hand, less future-proof roles are those prone to automation: manual testing, first-line technical support (helpdesk), and even pure frontend without additional skills. These roles may be filled more cautiously by 2026 or replaced with self-service AI tools (e.g., support chatbots). Junior developers will have a harder time entering the market if they don’t offer more than the basics—but ambitious ones may progress faster, as AI accelerates learning and takes over simple tasks.
In summary, AI will not make frontend or backend developers disappear—rather, it will redefine their roles. By 2026, programmers in both fields will likely become more versatile: frontend developers will need to understand backend fundamentals and user experience design, while backend developers will need to understand business needs, UI principles (to build better APIs), and how to work with automation tools. The line between these roles will become increasingly fluid, because AI makes it easier for engineers to cross traditional boundaries (e.g., a backend developer with Copilot can more easily handle a frontend task, and vice versa). Those who learn to work symbiotically with AI, while preserving human creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, will be in the highest demand. Meanwhile, specialists focused solely on repeating patterns may experience decreased demand for their services. The Polish IT job market is already signaling: “AI is not extinction—it’s evolution.” Frontend or backend—it matters less if we remain passive. The key is a mindset of continuous development. AI will be our ally if we learn to harness its power and find a niche where human value remains irreplaceable. One thing is certain: 2026 will belong to those developers (frontend, backend, and beyond) who, instead of fearing AI, turn it into their everyday advantage. Those who do will not only avoid loss—they’ll likely gain an edge in the new, automated IT landscape.