Comment by petersellers
6 days ago
I didn't frame it that way - perhaps you are thinking of the person you replied to?
Nevertheless, I don't think they are trying to frame it that way, either. The point is that making software development easier can actually increase the demand of software engineers in some cases (where projects that were previously not considered due to budget constraints are now feasible).
> I didn't frame it that way - perhaps you are thinking of the person you replied to?
You did. You explicitly asserted the following.
> If a business has the budget for 1 or 2 engineers though, they might be able to task them with work that previously required 5-10 engineers (...).
In your own words, a project that would take 5-10 engineers is now feasible to be tackled with 1 or 2. Your own words.
> (...) The point is that making software development easier can actually increase the demand of software engineers in some cases (...)
I think that's somewhere between unrealistic and wishful thinking. Even in your problem statement, "making software development easier" lowers demand. Even if you argue that some positions might open where none existed before, the truth of the matter is that at the core of your scenario lies a drop in demand for software engineers. Shops who currently employ engineers won't need to retain as many to maintain their current level of productivity.
> In your own words, a project that would take 5-10 engineers is now feasible to be tackled with 1 or 2. Your own words.
That statement != lower demand for software engineers.
If a firm needs to perform project X that previously cost 10 engineers to do, but they only have the budget for 2, they will not tackle that project. Engineers used = 0.
However, if due to productivity enhancements with AI, the project can now be done with just 2 engineers, the company can now afford to tackle the project. Engineers used = 2.
That is the point that the person you were originally replying to was making.
> Even in your problem statement, "making software development easier" lowers demand.
Incorrect, as shown above.
> Even if you argue that some positions might open where none existed before, the truth of the matter is that at the core of your scenario lies a drop in demand for software engineers.
I see what you are trying to say, but it's not that clear cut. The fact is, no one knows what will actually happen to software engineering demand in the long run. Some scenarios will increase demand for engineers, others will decrease it. No one knows what the net demand will be, everyone is only guessing at this point.
> If a firm needs to perform project X that previously cost 10 engineers to do, but they only have the budget for 2, they will not tackle that project. Engineers used = 0.
0 on that Project, but those 2 engineers will still be used on a different Project that needs just 2 Engineers.
BUT a company that sees that project as a critical part of the bussines and MUST tackle that project, will only need the 2 engineers in the payroll. Or hire just 2 instead of 10.
Engineers not hired = 8
Or.. maybe they don't really need that project that needs 10 engineers. They are ok as they are today, but they realize that with AI, they don't need those 2 engineers anymore to produce the same output, probably can be handled by just one with AI assistance.
Engineers fired = 1
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