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The fact that it didn't make software developers obsolete. Instead it created a whole new breed of 'specialized' software developers - ones that knew Fortran.
by Rury 6y ago
The fact that it didn't make software developers obsolete. Instead it created a whole new breed of 'specialized' software developers - ones that knew Fortran.
This is the fundamental problem with "they are going to automate our jobs!" thing people seemingly fear. Sure automation may make old jobs obsolete, but it also spawns new jobs in their place.
Before the invention of cars - there were no auto mechanics.
Before the invention of telephones - there were no telephone operators.
Before the invention of the internet - there were no web developers.
Before ATMs - there were surely more teller jobs in existence. But with ATMs, someone is now needed to go around and stock these ATMs with money periodically, as well as someone to repair them occasionally - both of which can be viewed as a new kind of "teller".
As so, software developers will never become obsolete. It's just the way in which we execute our jobs, which may become obsolete...
- p1esk 6y agoSo, if a user says "create a website that does x, y, z", and describes in plain English, on a high level, how he wants this website to look like, and AI creates the website which does what the user wanted, does this mean this user is now a "software developer"? Because the only requirement for the new breed of 'specialized' software developers might be they know English.
- Rury 6y ago>does this mean this user is now a "software developer"? Sure. He developed software - who cares what tools he used to do it? Is a farmer who farms via tractor not a farmer? The OP gave an apt example in FORTRAN - as FORTRAN is literally something which automates writing (lower level) code for you. Are software developers who use FORTRAN not software developers? >Because the only requirement for the new breed of 'specialized' software developers might be they know English. You assume everyone knows 'English'. To my knowledge only ~20% of the world "knows" basic English - let alone the specific English required to instruct an AI to craft a website precisely to do what you want it to do.