What's gonna happen to software engineers?
4 hours ago
- #career evolution
- #software development
- #AI impact
- The author, a software developer, is contemplating the future of the profession amidst AI advancements, expressing both existential concerns and optimism.
- Developers are broadly categorized into two groups: 'software as a means to an end' (those who code to build things) and 'software as the end' (those who enjoy coding itself, like algorithm optimization).
- For 'means to an end' developers, AI offers faster prototyping and idea testing but also reduces their uniqueness by enabling non-coders to build, potentially shifting their role.
- Three possible futures are envisioned over a 5–10 year timeline: Business-as-usual (AI improves efficiency but doesn't drastically change the job), Product Builder (developers focus more on product design and taste), and PM Case (developers transition into roles like product managers, coordinating AI agents).
- The impact of AI will vary globally, with slower adoption in places like Brazil compared to tech hubs like San Francisco, and not everyone may want to build products even with AI tools.