Comment by throw234234234

My point is that it isn't clear cut as to its effects on "open source" software. May help in some aspects, and detract in other aspects.

Anecdotally in my tech circles the enthusiasm for things like languages, libraries, DST, open source and general CS is declining rapidly - it all feels "pre-AI" era now. In the end everyone has their focus on the threat that is AI, almost frozen in fear. This is especially true since outside of the US, things like AI opportunities are quite limited (i.e. in the new era the tech opportunities aren't as distributed). Things that make programming "human" in general, again at least anecdotally, seems very 2010's and older now. When people are "in fear/threat mode" their willingness to invest, even if they enjoy it, is lower. Why prove I can do OS contributions, maybe that's time better spent re-skilling to be a plumber? I've heard that one recently. In the end more than enjoyment people need to eat and there is a cost to investing time in something.

If AI can do it better in a year or two why waste my time now - just wait and do nothing and I will have it anyway later. That includes potentially OS contributions.