There's been a growing buzz about AI taking over software development in the next decade or so. But let's dig deeper and understand why this doesn't mean we're on the verge of being replaced. In this post, we'll explore the reasons why software engineers aren't going anywhere, even in the AI age.
AI's Influence and the Unchanged Essence of Software Engineering
The AI wave is indeed changing the game with tools like GitHub's Co-pilot. These tools boost our efficiency and save a ton of time and money. And there's cool stuff on the horizon, like self-healing code, that'll make our software better and quicker to produce. It's an exciting time, no doubt.
My Recent Experience: A Peek into Our World
I recently took on a project from scratch to finish, and it got me thinking. I compiled a list of technologies that we, as software engineers, need to be familiar with to create a simple app. Here's a snippet:
- Creating the look (HTML)
- Adding style (CSS)
- Making it work (JavaScript)
- Handling browsers (Browser stuff)
- Navigating within the app (Routing)
- Managing data flow (State management)
- Designing the interface (UI libraries)
- Linking with other apps and services (APIs)
- Speeding things up (Caching)
- Picking a backend language (Python, JavaScript, etc.)
- Building the backend (Server framework)
- Juggling tasks (Async programming)
- Ensuring security (Security basics)
- User access (User authentication)
- Storing data (Database)
- Team coordination (Version control)
- Packaging the app (Docker)
- Getting it out there (Deployment)
- Checking it works (Testing)
- Speeding up delivery for end users (CDN)
- Handling addresses (DNS and networking)
- Utilizing the cloud (Cloud architecture)
- Domain management
- Sending emails (Email service setup, reputation and warm-up)
- Respecting privacy (Privacy concerns)
- Monitoring performance (Monitoring)
It's a hefty list, right? Sure, AI tools like ChatGPT can help with some. Today's tools let us do more with a smaller team than before.
The Real Value We Bring
Here's the scoop: being a software engineer isn't just about knowing tools. It's about fitting these tools together seamlessly. It's like cooking up a dish with various ingredients. As we improve at this, we innovate fresh ways to solve issues.
A Bright Future Ahead
The idea that AI will replace us isn't the full picture. In the next 10 to 15 years, we'll still be here, doing our thing. Instead of fading away, we'll focus more on tackling tough challenges in smarter ways. As technology advances, so will our skills to make great things happen.
In a nutshell, the AI storm won't wipe us out. While AI tools are handy, the blend of skills, creativity, and problem-solving we possess is hard to replicate. So, brace yourselves – the future of software engineering is a thrilling ride!
Top comments (2)
As screw driver is best for screws and hammer for nails, so is traditional programming and ML.
I agree, it is also about what types of problems ML can solve better than traditional programming or vice-Versa. You can have a hybrid approach of combining traditional programming and ML, but neither is better than other. They are just different.