ML can certainly do continuous problems as well, but for many problems, classification works well to solve them. Plus, most problems can be devolved to classifi

ML can certainly do continuous problems as well, but for many problems, classification works well to solve them. Plus, most problems can be devolved to classification, and classification problems can usually be solved by simpler "classic statistical" methods (regression methods), so are easy and fast to code for (no need for any fancy neural network or deep learning or such, or massive datasets). I don't think ML or AI (or whatever you want to call it) is going to replace programmers any time soon, either. I do think, though, that having the skills in such domains will be something that employers are going to look at in differentiating potential candidates for job placements. So if you have the knowledge or can get it now, it may prove useful in the future.