What are some examples of real world problems meant to be solved by the programmers?

Answer 1

In my mind I think programmers are "meant" to solve (like a MD):

pain points...
...everyone feels (acute, distracting-us-right-now problems)
...everyone accepts (chronic, why-do-you-live-with-this?! problems)
...before they happen (nobody-should-ever-have-to... problems)

while carefully treading in the recreational (money, entertainment, distraction, personal gratification / gain) side to it all.

The point is...I think programmers are also in the "do no harm"* business -- but that's just me.

* Trickier to do than to say. Just think about what sort of programmer you want to be.

Answer 2

Think about all of the technologies you currently use. That.
Think about all of the technologies you want to have. That.

It's really as simple as thinking about a problem, and then thinking up a solution for it through our technology. Obviously, if your problem is planting a seed, then just dig up the dirt and plant the see. Clearly, I'm talking about technologies that are related to what we're discussing.

For example, when I first started my job, there was a lot of reporting that took up about 6 hours every day. To me, that is a problem for various reasons, from the waste of time/money to the fact that I hate reports. As such, I used my programming skills and now I simply push a button; the 6 hour reports take 10 mins now.

*EDIT*

To add onto what I said, you could program a robot to plant the seed for you also. :D

Answer 3

self-driving cars etc.
every human task that you can imagine or even can not imagine being done by a robot/machine.