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Feeling sad about AI

Blog · Watch/Read · (gathered 2026-09-13)

  • Simon Willison addresses the “existential crisis” many software engineers experience when AI agents perform complex tasks quickly, arguing that this initial disheartening reaction can be overcome by reframing one’s role.
  • He posits that “translating an exact specification into decent code isn’t a unique skill any more,” freeing engineers to focus on larger problems and leverage their existing depth to master new AI tools, providing greater value than novices.
  • Willison reminds engineers that “pretty frequent radical change” has always been inherent to software development, urging those who chose it as a passion to embrace these faster-paced shifts rather than expecting professional stability.