November 15th, 2024

AI is the future of development, but not as I imagined

Giacomo Alonzi from Moze discusses how AI has transformed development roles, emphasizing the rise of the "Product Engineer" and encouraging developers to embrace AI for enhanced efficiency and career opportunities.

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AI is the future of development, but not as I imagined

A developer at Moze, Giacomo Alonzi, reflects on how AI technologies have reshaped his understanding of development. He notes the polarized views among developers regarding AI, with some embracing it fully while others remain skeptical. Initially cautious, Alonzi's perspective shifted after working on an AI-focused project that involved creating an advanced chatbot using OpenAI's Assistant API. Despite initial inefficiencies, the team developed a system of four agents to optimize token consumption, demonstrating how AI can enhance efficiency. Alonzi emphasizes that AI not only saves time but also enables the creation of new solutions that were previously unattainable. This shift has allowed him to adopt a more strategic role, transitioning from a builder to an architect in his projects. He highlights the emergence of the "Product Engineer," who takes full responsibility for client issues and designs comprehensive solutions. Alonzi also shares a personal experience where he utilized AI to learn Python and solve a home automation issue, illustrating how AI can amplify skills and bridge knowledge gaps. He encourages developers to embrace AI, likening it to the early days of JavaScript, and believes that those who resist this change may miss significant opportunities in their careers.

- AI is reshaping the role of developers, enabling more strategic thinking.

- The emergence of the "Product Engineer" role reflects a shift in responsibilities.

- AI can optimize processes and create new solutions previously deemed unattainable.

- Developers are encouraged to embrace AI to enhance their skills and opportunities.

- Skepticism about AI's capabilities may hinder professional growth in the tech industry.

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By @cebert - 5 months
AI as a skills amplifier really resonates with me. I’ve been able to quickly learn Python and Rust by using an LLM to bridge gaps between what I already know in other languages and the syntax or concepts in these new ones, such as asking how to perform string interpolation in Python. It’s helpful for getting up to speed and being productive quickly. I also find LLMs useful for conducting initial research on problems, especially problems that are new to me, as they provide access to a vast amount knowledge.

I am curious what impact AI will have on the consulting industry. For $20/month, I’ve gotten far more value from ChatGPT than any consultant I’ve worked with.