The Long-Term Cost of Chasing AI Shortcuts
A study week at a university of applied sciences apparently can no longer exist without AI being woven into it in some way. The faculty had invited an entrepreneur who, based on his own experience, could explain how artificial intelligence helped him and his company develop the same software for about one-fifth of the cost and at least twice as fast.
One positive note after another echoed through the packed lecture hall. They just stopped short of singing "hallelujah," but it was a close call. A church service praising the Holy Son seemed just a minor event compared to this. AI as the golden apple and the answer to everything.
Fortunately, the teachers are still there, to ask the critical questions. After the gospel had been preached, it was finally time for some queries. Very exciting what AI can do for you, Mr. Entrepreneur, and how great that it serves as an alternative to hiring new junior developers. But have you looked past the end of your nose? Have you considered how current senior developers got to where they are today, or are you only focused on how your company can maximize profits right now? Because those junior developers you’re not hiring aren’t getting the chance to grow naturally into senior roles. You know, that seniority you say is so important to check the quality of everything AI spits out.
If you ignore the juniors now, in a few years you’ll be without the seniors who are essential to your team. Will you then, lacking that seniority, blindly adopt everything AI delivers simply because there’s no one left to review it?
I almost wish to grant you the security leaks in your code and the complete lack of sound architectural decisions. Because entrepreneurs who can’t think beyond surface-level ideas may survive in the near future, but are doomed to fail in the long run.
AI is not the solution to everything. But by all means, keep believing in your fairy tales.