I think AI is posing a challenge to people like the person in TFA because programming is their hobby and one that they’re good at. They aren’t used to knowing someone or something can do it better and knowing that now makes them wonder what the point is. I argue that amateur artists and musicians have dealt with this feeling of “someone can always do it better” for a very long time. You can have fun while knowing someone else can make it better than you, faster, without as much struggle. Programmers aren’t as used to this feeling because, even though we know people like John Carmack exist, it doesn’t fly in your face quite like a beautiful live performace or painted masterpiece does. Learning to enjoy your own process is what I think is key to continuing what you love. Or, use it as an opportunity to try something else — but you’ll eventually discover the same thing no matter what you do. It’s very rare to be the best at something.
> can make it better than you, faster, without as much struggle
Still need to prove that AI-generated code is "better", though.
"More profitable", in a world where software generally becomes worse (for the consumers) and more profitable (for the companies), sure.
I don't see that as a likely outcome. I think it will make software better for consumers. There can be more bespoke interfaces instead of making consumers cram in to the solution space dictated by the expensive to change software as it is today.
That doesn't make sense: they could already spend more resources to make the software better, but they don't, because that is more profitable.
If AI makes doing the same thing cheaper, why would they suddenly say "actually instead of increasing our profit, we will invest it into better software"?
I'm both relatively experienced as a musician and software engineer so I kinda see both sides. If musicians want to get better, they have to go to the practice room and work. There's a satisfaction to doing this work and coming out the other side with that hard-won growth.
Prior to AI, this was also true with software engineering. Now, at least for the time being, programmers can increase productivity and output, which seems good on the surface. However, with AI, one trades the hard work and brain cells created by actively practicing and struggling with craft for this productivity gain. In the long run, is this worth it?
To me, this is the bummer.
I think in the workplace this is true, and a bummer, because the workplace demands the benefits that AI augmented programming offers. As a hobby, though, like music, the need for productivity isn’t as high and you can go to the proverbial practice room and program.
Overall I think you have a good point and the bummer for me is that the practice room isn’t as available for the day job.