Is AI Dangerous for Developers? My Experience So Far
September 25, 2024When people talk about AI, there’s always a question: Is it dangerous for us developers? I can’t claim to have a definitive answer, but based on my experience over the past two years, things have been looking up. Not only has my salary increased steadily, but the amount of code I write has also skyrocketed compared to 2022. Here’s my take on how AI has impacted me as a developer.
Steady Salary Growth
Despite all the noise about AI potentially replacing developers, my salary has been moving in the opposite direction. In the past two years, I’ve seen a steady increase in my paychecks. Why? Because the work I’m able to produce has increased in both quantity and quality, and companies seem to value that.
Thanks to AI-assisted coding tools like GitHub Copilot and AI-powered IDEs, I’m getting a lot more done. This efficiency has allowed me to take on more challenging projects and deliver results faster, making me more valuable to employers. And that’s reflected in my compensation.
Coding Output Has Skyrocketed
One of the most significant changes since 2022 has been my productivity. The amount of code I’m writing these days is far greater than it used to be. AI tools have become my personal coding assistants, helping me with everything from suggesting snippets and handling boilerplate to even debugging.
Instead of getting bogged down by repetitive tasks, I’m able to focus on higher-level problem solving, which has definitely accelerated my output. I’m writing more lines of code and, more importantly, more meaningful code. With AI taking care of mundane tasks, I can focus on architecture, logic, and innovation.
So, Is AI a Threat?
The big question: Is AI dangerous for us developers?
From where I stand right now, I don’t see AI as a threat, at least not yet. In fact, it feels like a powerful tool that enhances my capabilities. My job has shifted in a way that lets me focus on more strategic aspects of software development, while AI takes care of the heavy lifting in terms of repetitive coding.
I won’t pretend that AI won’t change the industry or that it won’t evolve into something that may pose a different challenge in the future. But right now, I’m seeing the benefits. My salary is up, my productivity is higher than ever, and I’m excited to see how I can leverage these tools even further.
AI could change things in the long run, but as of today, it feels like an ally, not an adversary. And I’m happy to keep coding alongside it.