Damascus, Sept. 19 (SANA)Syria’s programming sector is entering a new phase where opportunities to access local and international job markets intersect with challenges related to infrastructure and access to global technical services, asartificial intelligencedrives a clear shift in the skills required of programmers and software development methods.

Greater opportunities, infrastructure gaps

Programmer Jawad Lutfi told SANA that the new phase Syria is entering opens the door to greater cooperation with local and international companies, and to leveraging Syrian programming talent that possesses expertise transferable to various technical projects.

Lutfi said developing the sector requires improving digital infrastructure — particularly internet quality and stability, and reliable electricity — as essential elements for continuous programming work and the operation of digital applications and services.

Addressing these challenges gradually, alongside establishing specialized technical communities, could connect Syrian expertise and strengthen communication with companies and external markets, he added.

He noted rapid development in governmentdigital servicesand applications, saying Syria has the talent to contribute to this path but needs better investment in its expertise, particularly in cybersecurity.

Turning problems into solutions

Programmer Ahd Asaad said information engineering graduates from Syrian universities have acquired the ability to tackle real-world problems and turn them into implementable engineering solutions, along with skills in working with limited resources and adapting quickly to new technical requirements.

She said Syrian programming talent is capable of working with foreign companies, stressing the importance of continuous skill development, alongside a suitable professional environment that includes fast and stable internet, access to technical tools and services, and opportunities for training and specialized conferences.

Programmer Firas Sheikhah said the rise of AI has changed the standards of the programming job market. “The demand is no longer limited to mastering programming languages and development frameworks, but now includes the ability to use AI tools in software development stages, producing faster and more efficient solutions,” he said.

He noted that the spread of these tools has made evaluating a programmer’s level more complex, as multiple projects can now be produced with AI assistance. This increases the importance of expertise, specialized knowledge, and the ability to understand, test and evaluate software solutions rather than relying solely on coding ability.

Sheikhah stressed the importance of post-graduation skill development, noting that university curricula provide foundations but do not cover all specializations required by the job market, making self-learning and continuous specialization a necessity.

He said improvingdigital infrastructure, expanding access to technical services, building effective programming communities and developing AI-related skills would allow Syria’s programming sector to better leverage its talent and turn expertise into projects, technical products and jobs capable of reaching local and foreign markets.

Syria’s programming sector has long been recognized for its skilled workforce, with many Syrian developers working remotely for international companies. The sector faces structural challenges including electricity shortages and internet connectivity issues, though governmental efforts are ongoing to advancedigital transformationin multiple sectors.

The rapid global adoption of AI tools is reshaping the industry, requiring programmers to adapt to new workflows and focus on higher-level skills including architecture, testing and quality assurance.