Source URL: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Jan/24/dustin-ewers/#atom-everything
Source: Simon Willison’s Weblog
Title: Quoting Dustin Ewers
Feedly Summary: AI tools create a significant productivity boost for developers. Different folks report different gains, but most people who try AI code generation recognize its ability to increase velocity. Many people think that means we’re going to need fewer developers, and our industry is going to slowly circle the drain.
This view is based on a misunderstanding of why people pay for software. A business creates software because they think that it will give them some sort of economic advantage. The investment needs to pay for itself with interest. There are many software projects that would help a business, but businesses aren’t going to do them because the return on investment doesn’t make sense.
When software development becomes more efficient, the ROI of any given software project increases, which unlocks more projects. […] Cheaper software means people are going to want more of it. More software means more jobs for increasingly efficient software developers.
— Dustin Ewers, Ignore the Grifters – AI Isn’t Going to Kill the Software Industry
Tags: ai-assisted-programming, ethics, generative-ai, ai, llms
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses the impact of AI tools on software development productivity, countering the argument that increased efficiency will lead to fewer developers. Instead, it posits that AI will enhance the return on investment (ROI) for software projects, ultimately resulting in more jobs for developers.
Detailed Description: The article emphasizes the positive implications of AI tools for developers and the software industry as a whole. It argues against a common misconception that AI will reduce the need for developers, clarifying that increased development efficiency leads to higher ROI on software projects, thereby generating more demand for software and consequently more employment opportunities. Key points include:
– **AI’s Contribution to Productivity**: Many developers report that AI code generation tools significantly boost their productivity, positively impacting their output and efficiency.
– **Misconceptions about Software Demand**: The belief that fewer developers will be needed stems from a misunderstanding of market incentives. Businesses invest in software to gain economic advantages; thus, if development becomes cheaper and more efficient, more software projects become viable.
– **Return on Investment (ROI)**: The text underscores that as development efficiency increases, so does the ROI on software projects. This improved ROI can lead to businesses pursuing additional projects they would have previously deemed uneconomical.
– **Job Creation**: Contrary to fears of job losses, the article suggests that a rise in software production due to increased efficiency will actually create more employment opportunities for developers.
– **Broader Industry Implications**: The discussion invites software professionals to rethink their roles in an AI-enhanced landscape, emphasizing the potential for growth rather than decline.
In summary, the text serves as a reassurance for security and compliance professionals in the technology sector, highlighting that AI advancements won’t eliminate jobs but can transform and expand the software development landscape, potentially leading to an increased focus on security measures and compliance against the backdrop of rapid software proliferation.