Can generative AI replace the need for code comments or are they still essential for clarity and documentation

Question

With the help of proper code examples can you tell me Can generative AI replace the need for code comments, or are they still essential for clarity and documentation?

Answer 1

Generative AI can assist in explaining code but cannot replace human-written comments, which provide intent, reasoning, and maintainability for future developers.

Here is the code snippet you can refer to:

In the above code we are using the following key points:

• Demonstrates AI-Generated vs. Human Comments to highlight differences.
• Shows Recursion for Factorial Calculation requiring clear explanation.
• Emphasizes Code Intent through human-written comments.
• Maintains Code Readability by documenting logic.
• Enhances Developer Understanding beyond what AI can generate alone.

Hence, while Generative AI can assist in writing comments, human-written documentation remains essential for intent, maintainability, and long-term code clarity.