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AI Will AI Replace Developers?

Posted by michael apprich
michael apprich
9,989 Points

I feel like comparing AI to a calculator is a little bit disingenuous.

Is it not? It really is like comparing apples to oranges.

3 Answers

Jeff Muday
MOD
Jeff Muday
Treehouse Moderator 28,720 Points
Jeff Muday
Jeff Muday
Treehouse Moderator 28,720 Points

Good video.

Appropriate to the analogy does the "calculator replace teachers?", would be does the "calculator replace accountants?"

Your workshop makes it clear to embrace the change and not ignore the tools! Keep up the good work.

Dustin U
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Dustin U
Treehouse Teacher
Dustin U
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Dustin U
Treehouse Teacher

Hey Michael! I can understand why you feel that way. My reference to a calculator and a teacher was used here because for me, I feel like back in the day calculators were such a big deal that a lot of people felt like there was no need to learn math anymore. Or at least not have to rely on their knowledge of math as much since the calculator can do a lot of the work for you. That can be applied to today with AI seemingly being able to do a lot of the work for us. Just like with the calculator, you need to understand if the specific problem you're trying to solve needs addition, subtraction, division, etc. Much like how to prompt AI tools such as ChatGPT, you still need to understand what you want your code to do. I hope this insight was helpful. This is a very beginner-type video for understanding how AI can work with us in the workplace instead of replacing us. There are surely more advanced use-cases and concepts I plan to cover as well pretty soon. So the calculator/teacher reference was meant to be easy to understand and digest as an analogy for beginners getting started with AI. :)

michael apprich
michael apprich
9,989 Points

Yeah, I see what you're saying and understand the reason behind the comparison. I don't necessarily agree that using AI as a tool to help us is going to prevent it from essentially reducing the need for developers and designers. So while a calculator isn't going to be able to do complex tasks on its own, AI already can and will eventually be able to do even more and more. As I understand it, those who are using it as a tool are potentially training it to do their job, right? Don't get me wrong, as a tool, while not perfect, it is pretty awesome.

Dustin U
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Dustin U
Treehouse Teacher
Dustin U
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Dustin U
Treehouse Teacher

Solid point for sure, Michael! I agree that AI can absolutely reduce the number of developers working on a project or for a company as whole, but there will always be the need to QA the work AI does for us and someone prompting/working with the AI. So it's a really good time to learn how you can use it so that you can have AI in your tool-belt when looking for a developer job. I can almost guarantee that a potential employer will find you more attractive as a new-hire if you come with AI experience and understand how it works. AI isn't going anywhere so the best we can do is use it to the best of our abilities. :)