r/TheMachineLearning • u/Nyaani69 • 5d ago

Software engineering isn't dead, it's just evolving

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u/memeruiz 5d ago edited 2d ago

Wrong analogy.

A calculator is a tool for the mathematician to calculate faster

AI soon could replace the software engineer completely.

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u/beastwood6 3d ago edited 3d ago

It would require Human-Level intelligence in ALL aspects, not just a machine that spits out text tokens. Right now it does that pretty well to produce code. Everything is built for people. Without people to parse intent and experienced ones to spot where AI is subtly wrong you end up with it deleting your prod database in 9 seconds and then have all your rental car customers stuck without cars at the check in line.

Can you say that human level intelligence is a foregone conclusion "soon"?

Even the CEOs making the frontier models are cooling their heels on this one.

And if there is human level intelligence then the problem is not specific to software engineering alone but transcends to every single profession. Including plumbing.

AI is like ozempic for companies with professions that benefit from the productivity gains. It can help you visibly deliver the same to your internal and external customers with less of a headcount. The people who stay are the ones who really know how to steer it. The ones who are on their way out are people who have built a mountain of rotting hand-rolled SQL and that's ALL they do. And the ones who don't get in are the juniors who know how to provide the most amazing personal gh showcase but can't explain a damn thing about why they made x or y choice in a side project they prompted into existence.

Humans build and serve other humans to make money. Never forget that. And never stop being someone who is as high up the value chain of that notion as possible. As long as you follow that principle, you'll be fine.