Is AI coming for your job?

If there's been one topic I've spoken to Clients and Candidates in 2023, it's the rapid update of Artificial Intelligence like ChatGPT and the potential ramifications this will have for Software Development roles in the future.

There's no doubt AI is going to change the way we all work but like so many disruptive technologies before it that failed to deliver on their promise, I'm not sure AI will ever fully replace the need to Human Software Engineers.

A more likely scenario (in my opinion) is that Large Language Models (LLM) like ChatGPT will liberate Engineers from some of the more routine elements of Software Development. Features like Autocomplete, Suggestions or Methods to sort data and giving prompts for alternative solutions could speed up problem solving and provide support, much like Stack Overflow does currently but in a more concise way.

This will increase productivity and allow Developers more freedom to focus on the "big picture" of the solution with creativity and imagination.

The computer scientist Edsger Dijkstra once observed:

“As long as there were no machines, programming was no problem at all; when we had a few weak computers, programming became a mild problem, and now we have gigantic computers, programming had become an equally gigantic problem.”

There are also tasks that extend far beyond the current capabilities of AI systems such as designing user-friendly interfaces and handling complex problem-solving that requires a deep understanding of a particular project.

AI systems are going to become very useful tools for Developers, of that I've no doubt, but like adding cruise control to a HGV you are not replacing the driver, you're just taking a little pressure off them. As AI systems automate the production of boilerplate code generation or provide helpful prompts they will augment Development rather than replace it.

However, if history has shown us anything, the march of technology will continue and Systems will improve exponentially over time and with Quantum computing just around the corner, what the capabilities of LLMs will be in 5 years or 10 years is anyone's guess!