A New York Times Magazine article explores the profound impact of AI-assisted development on the software industry, based on interviews with over 70 developers from major tech companies. While AI can generate and test code efficiently, developers note that programming uniquely allows for reality-checking through testing, unlike fields like law. The piece captures a generally optimistic outlook on the future of programming, though some lament the loss of hand-crafted work.
Background
AI code generation tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT are rapidly transforming how software is developed, raising questions about the future role of human programmers. The Jevons paradox suggests that increased efficiency may lead to higher overall demand for programming.
- Source
- Simon Willison
- Published
- Mar 13, 2026 at 03:23 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10