The main goal of the article is to describe the role of programming in the contemporary technical civilization and some consequences for the technically focused education. The author attempts to express his own opinions on the questions such as, what importance the programming teaching and learning bring for the students of technically focused branches, what tools could be used, how effectively distance learning and e-learning could be used and the possible approach to programming exams in the time of availability of AI. The importance of connections between the students’ attributes such as, previous education, previous work experience, personality and hobbies, and programming teaching and learning, is discussed. Programming can be seen as a specific field of art. A painter uses colours, a programmer uses data structures and statements which are available in a selected programming language. The article may serve as a starting point for discussions of both conference participants and future readers.