I don't know if my job will still exist in ten years

9 hours ago

The author reflects on the uncertain future of the software engineering industry due to the rise of AI agents.
In 2021, software engineering felt secure, but by 2026, the industry may change drastically or even disappear.
The automation of software engineering jobs is seen as cosmic justice, given that engineers previously automated other jobs.
Senior engineers may last longer, supervising AI agents, while junior and mid-level engineers face earlier displacement.
The next decade hinges on whether the tech industry overshoots or undershoots AI capabilities.
Undershooting means engineers supervise AI agents; overshooting could lead to a scramble for senior talent.
Past predictions of the industry's demise (e.g., outsourcing, high-level languages) didn’t materialize, but AI poses a real threat.
The Jevons effect (increased demand due to more software) is unlikely, as AI can maintain code as well as write it.
AI tools are improving rapidly, making them faster and more insightful than engineers in many tasks.
The author acknowledges the privilege of having enjoyed the industry's golden years but fears the end is near.
A hopeful but unlikely scenario is that human intuition remains essential for delivering good software.

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