What does AI mean for me as a software engineer?
It’s a question I keep asking myself, my colleagues, and yes, even ChatGPT.
The truth is, I still don't have a clear answer. And with how things have been moving, I'm not sure anyone does.
Let's look at these past few years:
- 2022: Google fires engineer who contended its AI technology was sentient
- 2024: Devin: AI Software Engineer that Codes Entire Projects from Single Prompt
- 2025: Microsoft layoffs hit developers hardest
- 2025: Sundar Pichai Says Google Will Hire More Human Engineers Because of A.I
Depending on the very moment you decide to tune in, AI is either saving us or replacing us. Let’s keep digging.
When I asked ChatGPT the same question I started this post with, it actually gave a more grounded answer than most of us flesh-and-blood engineers:
AI isn’t replacing software engineers—it’s redefining what we spend our time on. The value shifts from typing code to understanding problems, designing systems, and knowing when not to automate.
AI isn’t augmented reality, cryptocurrency, virtual assistants or the metaverse. It seems to have real value that will stick around for a while. It isn’t flavor of the month.
Is it as valuable as everyone will tell you? Depends on who you ask.
For companies building it, AI is a product first and foremost. PwC estimates AI will contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Naturally, every vendor promising you their AI is life-changing will want as big of a piece of that pie as possible.
Personally, I've found it valuable. In terms of efficiency, AI can already boost my code output significantly. And that's worth something. But how much time do I really spend coding? Even still, AI can help with ideation and planning. It can perform tasks and help me mentally walk through problems. All of this increases my overall efficiency. Again, this is clearly worth something.
If it sounds like I'm going back and forth, it's because I am. I can see the hype. I can see the incentive misalignment by companies whose responsibility to investors means selling this as the inevitable future. But I also use AI every day both personally and professionally. It's genuinely useful. I'm just not convinced that it's a one-size-fits-all solution.
So what does AI mean for me as a software engineer? I still don't know. But it's already changed how I work, and AI is still improving constantly. The best I can do is keep listening, learning, and evolving. With or without AI, that's always been the best path forward.