What happens when AI codes better than we do?
For a second, let's forget AI is more like a sloppy junior coder. Let's stop feeling like cheating when prompting instead of typing. If AI writes reliable code, what would we offer as coders?
The other day, I found one post from Leon Mika that made me ask those questions.
Maybe writing code is no longer part of my "core offering" at this point in my career. Maybe it is the "judgement, tradeoffs, intents" and all the other buzzwords people throw around when describing a senior software engineer.
Leon's post made me think what we could offer.
Here's my list:
- Talking to end users to find out what they need
- Choosing what features to implement
- Choosing the right tools, stack, and frameworks
- Scoping projects into milestones or sprints
- Finding what to rewrite and when
- Coming up with de-risking plans
- Choosing the right time to scale
- Sharing past mistakes and lessons
- Vetting what to build, buy, or outsource
- Finding cost-effective "cloudification" strategies
What would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments.
Some coders already do those tasks, but soon they'll be everyday work for all of us.
In the meantime, AI is making us rediscover the practice of coding. And that's already a good point for AI.
When AI shines at coding, we need strong product thinking, communication, and other skills I cover in Street-Smart Coding. That's the roadmap I wish I had to become a senior coder.
Top comments (4)
I've always disliked the "you'll have to finish coding and go up the ladder" thing.
Anyway, even if AI takes over (this seems to me something far away right now), coding won't be over. There will still exist the need for coding for computer science research, for instance.
Oh yes, I chased perfect coding when looking for ways to climb up the ladder. But to my surprise, coding and management are different skills. Being good at one isn't a guarantee of success in the other.
Good list ... I suppose "architecture and system thinking" might be there as well? (I'm not being super original here)
Sure, that's where we can shine: seeing how the pieces connect.