Veteran Engineer Reflects on AI's Challenge to 30 Years of Technical Expertise

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A software consultant with nearly three decades of experience has written candidly about the professional uncertainty brought on by the rise of AI coding tools. The shift became tangible while using Claude Code, where he found himself describing desired outcomes rather than specifying detailed instructions — a subtle but unsettling change in workflow. Unlike past technology shifts such as Web 2.0 or mobile, he argues this one forces engineers to rethink their role in the market, not just learn a new tool. He is experimenting with the idea that natural language is effectively becoming the new programming interface, treating prompt-writing like debugging a poorly documented API. Rather than offering prescriptive advice, he frames his account as an honest, unresolved account of navigating professional change without a clear roadmap.

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