Algorithms. For decades, they’ve been the gatekeepers of the tech industry, the sacred rites of passage for anyone hoping to secure a coveted job at a top-tier company. Entire platforms like Leetcode and HackerRank have built empires around this obsession, turning the act of coding into a gladiatorial spectacle. But let’s be honest: is the ability to invert a binary tree under duress really the hallmark of a good programmer? Or is it an elaborate hazing ritual we’ve all agreed to endure?
The famous quote, “Why memorise what’s in books when you can look it up?”—often attributed to Albert Einstein—has long been a rallying cry against rote learning. Yet the tech industry continues to worship at the altar of algorithmic trivia. In a world where artificial intelligence can churn out optimised solutions in seconds, this fixation isn’t just outdated—it’s laughable. The truth is, Leetcode isn’t preparing you for the future; it’s clinging desperately to the past.
The Algorithmic Cult
Let’s not mince words: algorithmic interviews are elitist nonsense. They reward those with the privilege of time and resources to grind hundreds of obscure problems while penalising talented developers who dare to prioritise real-world skills over party tricks. They’re a relic of a time when programming was about eking out every ounce of performance on machines with laughably limited resources.
But here’s the truth: that time is long gone. Today’s developers rely on libraries, frameworks, and tools to solve 99% of the problems algorithms were once meant to address. Now, with AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude, even that final 1% is falling away. Why should anyone memorise how to implement Dijkstra’s algorithm when an AI can do it for you faster, better, and with fewer off-by-one errors?
The defenders of this archaic system will argue that it’s not about memorisation—it’s about problem-solving. But let’s be real. Solving a contrived puzzle under artificial conditions has nothing to do with designing a scalable system, debugging a gnarly production issue, or navigating the political minefield of a project meeting. Algorithms are just the industry’s way of gatekeeping, of keeping out the “unworthy.”
The Leetcode Lie
Leetcode is dying, whether it wants to admit it or not. Platforms like it have thrived on the illusion that their problems are the ultimate test of programming prowess. But AI has shattered that illusion. Why waste hours practising solutions to problems you’ll never encounter in the wild when an AI can solve them and explain the solution in plain English?
This isn’t just a change in tools; it’s a change in mindset. For years, the industry has conflated technical ability with the ability to perform well in these algorithmic parlour games. But as AI continues to outperform even the most seasoned Leetcode grandmasters, it’s becoming painfully obvious that this emperor has no clothes. And the companies that cling to these outdated interview practices are just exposing their irrelevance.
Algorithms in the Age of AI
To be clear, algorithms themselves aren’t the problem. They’re tools, and like any tool, they have their place. But their place isn’t in hiring processes or the day-to-day workflow of most developers. The skill we need today isn’t memorising how to implement quicksort from scratch—it’s knowing when to use it or when to use something else entirely.
This is where AI changes the game. Tools like ChatGPT can generate algorithmic solutions and explain their trade-offs. They don’t just give you the fish; they teach you how to fish. And they do it without the elitist baggage of traditional education or the ridiculous pressure of a timed whiteboard interview.
The real skill in the AI era isn’t solving algorithms—it’s framing the problem correctly. It’s knowing which tool to use, understanding the system you’re working within, and making decisions that align with business goals. Algorithms are no longer the be-all and end-all. They’re just one small part of a much larger picture.
Goodbye, Leetcode. You Won’t Be Missed.
As AI takes over the grunt work of programming, Leetcode and its ilk will go the way of the dodo. Companies that cling to these methods will be left behind, while those that embrace the new reality will thrive. The future of hiring won’t be about who can perform the best under artificial conditions; it will be about creativity, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate with AI effectively.
This shift isn’t just inevitable—it’s necessary. For too long, the tech industry has fetishised skills that are increasingly irrelevant while undervaluing the qualities that actually make someone a great developer. AI is forcing us to re-evaluate what matters, and it’s about time.
Embrace the Revolution
The rise of AI is a wake-up call. It’s not just changing how we code but what it means to be a programmer. The obsession with algorithms, the grind of Leetcode, the absurdity of whiteboard interviews—it’s all crumbling. And good riddance.
So, who cares about algorithms? Not the future. If you’re still clinging to them, you’re not just out of touch—you’re obsolete. AI isn’t just changing the game; it’s rewriting the rules. And if you can’t keep up, don’t be surprised when the industry leaves you behind.