Code has _always_ been the easy part

3 months ago

Code has always been the easy part of software development.
Etsy's team spent two years on a rewrite without shipping features until standardizing on PHP.
Successful teams focus on the system and customer value, not just elegant code.
Technical hiring has improved but was historically flawed, focusing on irrelevant coding tests.
Recent advancements in AI and frontier models are changing the cost and production of code.
The cost of producing code is rapidly approaching zero, requiring significant changes in team dynamics.
Technology shifts like the web, mobile, and machine learning have previously disrupted team workflows.
Leaders must creatively integrate humans into processes as AI changes the landscape.
Skepticism towards AI is reasonable due to hype and amoral capital influences in tech.
The feeling of loss among newer tech professionals contrasts with older professionals' focus on agency.

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