In the era of artificial intelligence, what is the importance of coding you may ask? The problem with large language models is they fail to understand the problem they are solving and make mistakes. When it comes to foundational skills, knowing how to reason about a piece of code, knowing how to track down a bug across a large system, those are elements that the current models can’t manage successfully. Learning to code still comes with a range of future opportunities and is something to be celebrated this Computer Science Week.

Apple has been making coding accessible to everyone through initiatives like the Swift Student Challenge. Since 2020, thousands of students globally have joined this community of developers, using Swift — the same programming language employed by professionals — to create the next wave of groundbreaking apps.

Swift Playgrounds includes interactive lessons that use puzzles and experimentation to teach the core coding concepts

If you look at the bigger picture, studies have shown that there has been a decline in the quality of code generated using AI models, besides a substantial increase in bugs while using the AI coding assistant to write code.

So something like Swift Playgrounds is worth learning. Last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook said: “Coding is the only global language. It is a way to express yourself and arguably, we need more of that in the world and bring the world closer…. It is the most important language you can learn. A programming language is a way to tap into your creativity and unleash it to the world.”

With tools like Swift Playgrounds, Apple is proving that anyone can learn to code and build apps, regardless of their background or career aspirations. “Coding is a gateway to computational thinking, turning ideas into action and empowering every student to solve real-world problems creatively. With tools like Swift and Xcode, my physics students bring abstract concepts to life, from simulating gravity to launching rockets. Coding fuels the flames of curiosity, turning the impossible into reality,” says Apple Distinguished Educator Lakshmi Priya, Trio World School, Bangalore.

The commitment is an integral part of the Apple Distinguished Schools (ADS) programme. This Computer Science Week, Apple added four new institutions to its ADS roster. These schools are global examples of educational innovation, demonstrating how iPad and Mac can make learning deeply personal and transformative for every student.

Apple has been making coding accessible to everyone through initiatives like the Swift Student Challenge

“Becoming an Apple Distinguished School has truly transformed our approach to teaching and learning at Mount Litera School International. During Coding Week, for example, our students collaborated on creating innovative apps and games, showcasing their creativity and problem-solving skills. One memorable moment was when a group of Grade IX and X students designed a prototype app to promote mental wellbeing, integrating coding with empathy and critical thinking. Our teachers, empowered by Apple professional learning resources and using Swift Playgrounds, led hands-on sessions, making coding accessible and inclusive for every learner. These experiences exemplify how Apple helps us inspire innovation and celebrate milestones that shape future leaders,” says Priya Anand, head of school, Mount Litera, Mumbai.

Beyond the classroom, look up on App Store for an array of resources.

 SoloLearn is a free, user-friendly online platform and mobile app designed to teach programming and coding skills. It provides courses on a variety of programming languages and topics

 GitHub is a widely used online platform that enables developers to collaborate on coding projects, manage code repositories, and streamline the software development process.

 Codecademy is an interactive online platform that offers coding lessons and skill-building courses for learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced programmers.

 Mimo is a mobile-first learning platform designed to teach coding and technical skills in a bite-sized, interactive way.

 Udemy is an online learning platform that offers a wide variety of courses designed for both professional and personal development.

 Coursera is a leading online learning platform that partners with top universities, colleges, and companies worldwide to provide high-quality educational courses, degrees, and professional certifications.

 Khan Academy is a nonprofit educational platform dedicated to providing free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere.