The Future of The Secret Developer: Navigating AI's Impact
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Chapter 1: Contemplating the Future
Today, I've been reflecting on what lies ahead.
No, I’m not pondering my next ramen choice—that’s already settled.
Instead, I'm considering the future of The Secret Developer in this daunting AI-driven landscape. We will examine the current situation, the imminent future, and beyond.
Spoiler Alert: Things may not end well for us.
Section 1.1: Present Concerns—AI and Ineptitude
It’s likely that in your workplace, discussions surrounding AI are taking place.
Some common topics might include:
- How are we incorporating AI into our processes?
- What adjustments do we need for our hiring practices?
- Should we invest in AI tools?
Guess which of these discussions has occurred at my company?
That’s right; it’s all about cutting costs.
During our recent all-hands meeting, our CIO was asked if we had an AI policy. The response was:
“We don’t have funds for tools.”
This is alarming. The absence of a policy, coupled with the potential for intellectual property leaks, is worrisome. The lack of strategic direction from our CIO (even if that direction were to be a strict "DO NOT USE AI") makes me feel it's time to polish my resume.
It feels like other developers are racing ahead while I’m stuck in place. My company views me as a cost center, and they seem hesitant to invest in the necessary resources.
Section 1.2: The Imminent Future—AI Prompt Writers
I've received some unsympathetic remarks on previous articles about relying on AI, with comments suggesting I'm inexperienced for doing so.
That’s not accurate.
Admittedly, I often find myself distracted at work, juggling blog writing with meetings. And what helps fill the gaps?
ChatGPT, Bard, GitHub Copilot.
These tools are invaluable when your attention wanes and your written content falls short. Soon, leveraging AI will become a requirement for those who want to keep up with the rapid pace of work.
I fully anticipate that any new position I secure (hopefully soon) will demand the use of AI, as it will be necessary to meet the expectations of the job.
Chapter 2: Long-Term Outlook—The Future Landscape
The future seems to be a race against various calamities—environmental collapse, conflict, and the looming AI takeover. However, I predict that the outcome will differ from these scenarios.
In two decades, the nature of our work will have shifted drastically, leaving many of us as specialists in a dwindling field.
No-code solutions have posed a threat for a while, but due to their limitations (looking at you, Salesforce), traditional coding has remained relatively secure.
AI is set to change this, making simpler tools viable for businesses, allowing even business analysts to generate quality code.
Ultimately, it could lead to a situation where we find ourselves akin to Fortran programmers—without the niche demand that some of them still enjoy.
Is it too late to consider a career change to spot welding?
Let’s not forget, the robots are on their way.
Conclusion: A Bleak Outlook
The tone of this article reflects the current mood of The Secret Developer, who is on a break at the moment.
True story.
About The Author
Professional Software Developer “The Secret Developer” can be found on Twitter @TheSDeveloper and regularly contributes articles through Medium.com.