We are all Product Engineers now

The cost of creating software has plummeted, prompting a transformation in the software development landscape over the past decade. This shift has led to an explosion in the number of software developers, but the nature of the job is undergoing a radical change. The author argues that the current generation of artificial intelligence agents is proficient at writing code but still struggle with reviewing, testing, and deploying code.

They contend that if these AI systems continue to improve at a rapid pace, the role of human software developers could become significantly different. The author breaks down the components of software development into four categories, highlighting areas where AI currently excels and where it falls short. They also discuss the labor market, noting that while there has been a decline in junior programmer jobs, the market for senior programmers remains robust.

The trend suggests that the future of software development may lie in a blend of highly skilled developers who can work alongside AI agents to deliver practical, effective solutions.