AI is not programming

There was a time when smart people had the power to decide every minute detail of a software system. This required time to think what solutions or tools would best fit the needs of the system. What were the pros and cons of each possible solution, while also trying to predict future requirements.

This was a time when programming was done by humans. That period has come to an end.

The current iteration of AI tools has completely wrecked the software development process, to the point where it acts as the new higher abstraction layer between you and the system. You’re no longer in control. The speed at which these tools generate code is almost impossible to comprehend. Due to this, your role changes from code producer to code reviewer. And when inevitably you fail to comprehend the reasoning behind the generated code, you defer once again to the AI tool.

This AI loop, where we defer our thinking and reasoning to a (non-deterministic) tool we cannot comprehend, transforms us from active participants in a project, into mindless zombies with slowly decaying brains. To the point where the most of basic actions are automatically deferred to using the AI tool because thinking 5 seconds takes up too much energy.

Programming used to be a craft that you honed through years of experience. It was something you could be proud of, contributed to better career opportunities and, ultimately a better life. That’s no longer the case.

The AI overlords sell these tools as something that will enhance humanity, but their ultimate goal is to just replace you. In this new era, your skills are not needed, just follow what the tool says and don’t think!