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How AI-assisted coding will change software engineering: hard truths

Jan 05, 2025 - newsletter.pragmaticengineer.com
The article discusses the impact of Generative AI (GenAI) on software engineering, highlighting its potential to transform the industry by accelerating coding tasks and enabling rapid prototyping. It identifies two main user groups: "bootstrappers," who use AI to quickly generate initial codebases, and "iterators," who integrate AI into their daily workflows for tasks like code completion and refactoring. However, the article also points out the "70% problem," where AI tools can quickly accomplish a significant portion of a task but struggle with the final, more complex stages, requiring human expertise to ensure code quality and maintainability.

The article emphasizes that while AI tools can enhance productivity, they are not a replacement for experienced developers. Senior engineers benefit more from AI as they can guide and refine AI-generated code, whereas junior developers may struggle with understanding and debugging. The future of software development is seen as a collaboration between humans and increasingly autonomous AI agents, with a focus on maintaining engineering standards and leveraging AI for routine tasks. The article concludes that AI can help developers focus on creating polished, user-friendly software by handling mundane coding tasks, but human judgment remains crucial for ensuring software quality.

Key takeaways:

  • AI tools are more beneficial for experienced developers than beginners, as they can accelerate known tasks but require supervision and correction.
  • The "70% problem" highlights that AI can quickly generate code but struggles with the final 30% needed for production-ready software, requiring human expertise.
  • Agentic software engineering is emerging, where AI systems can plan, execute, and iterate solutions with increasing autonomy, enhancing collaboration with human developers.
  • Despite AI advancements, the art of creating polished, user-friendly software remains crucial, emphasizing the importance of human judgment and attention to detail.
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