C
Christian Mbah
Guest
As a software engineer you've probably wondered at least once about the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on your long-term career.
Everywhere you look, AI tools are popping up that can write code, fix bugs, and even generate an entire app from scratch in seconds.
At first, it feels cool seeing how much artificial intelligence is growing and how much better it helps you solve coding tasks, but then the bigger question creeps in: if AI keeps getting better, will it eventually replace me in the long run?
AI is already replacing some software engineers and that trend isnβt slowing down, but it wonβt replace all of us. Thatβs the part worth paying attention to and weβll get into why in a moment, but first letβs acknowledge the obvious: this shift isnβt shocking.
As engineers, weβve always built tools to replace old ways of working. This is just another wave of disruption, only now weβre the ones in the hot seat. Ironic, isnβt it? Building our own replacement.
And if you think about it, this isnβt a new story. We build new things to improve or replace the old. Spotify reshaped the music industry, Netflix transformed how we watch movies, and Uber changed the way we think about taxis.
But hereβs the good news: those older industries didnβt completely disappear. I still went to the cinema last week, taxi drivers migrated to Uber, and people still buy songs. The world changed, but it didnβt end, and the same will be true for software engineering.
Which brings us to the real question: how do you survive, adapt, and stay valuable as a software engineer in the age of AI?
You already know this so let's build on it. If AI can code, why not think beyond coding, broaden your perspective and use your technical skills together with knowledge from other fields to create real impact.
Let's take a case study of 2 software engineers:
Software Engineer 1: Can code.
Software Engineer 2: Can code, but doesn't stop there. He's built range in multiple domains like product management, design, marketing, sales, or business strategy.
Now picture this: both engineers are asked to build a feature for an e-commerce app.
Both wrote code. But only one created impact. And thatβs the engineer AI canβt easily replace.
So if AI is already good at coding, which of these two engineers do you think will stand out in the long run? Exactly, the second one. The guy who connects technical skills with multiple domains and consistently drives outcomes that actually matter.
AI is insanely good at narrow, well-defined tasks. Ask it to optimize a query, generate boilerplate code, or refactor a function and itβll crush it every time. But hereβs the catch: AI doesnβt do well once you step outside of those boundaries. It can remix existing patterns, but it struggles to combine ideas from different domains to create something new.
Engineer 2βs edge is exactly that: they donβt just code, they think. They pull from product, design, business, and even psychology to build things that actually matter. They understand customer pain points, connect dots across fields, and create value AI canβt see because itβs trained on the average of whatβs already been done.
The truth is, impact comes from originality and empathy, two areas where humans still have the upper hand. AI can code. Engineer 2 can create outcomes that change the game.
Becoming Engineer 2 means you stop being defined only by your ability to code and start stacking skills that make you indispensable. Hereβs how:
1. Strengthen Your Core Technical Depth
AI can write code, but it doesnβt truly understand systems. Your technical foundation should be unshakable; architecture, scalability, debugging, and performance optimization are areas where depth matters.
2. Learn to Think Like a Product Manager
Understand why features are built, what problems they solve, and how they tie into business goals. Engineers who think beyond their tickets have a strategic edge.
3. Adopt Design Thinking
You donβt need to be a designer, but knowing the principles of UX, UI, and user research will make your work far more impactful.
4. Understand Business and Growth
Learn how companies make money, how products are sold, and what drives revenue. Engineers with business insight become trusted decision-makers.
5. Invest in Soft Skills
Communication, persuasion, and empathy are career multipliers. They determine how much influence you can have, no matter your technical strength.
6. Master AI Instead of Fearing It
Learn how AI works, where it shines, and where it fails. Engineers who can use AI effectively will outperform those who ignore it.
7. Collaborate Across Functions
Spend time with teams outside engineering like marketing, sales, design, operations. This is how you connect technical skill with real-world impact.
Engineer 2βs advantage isnβt just their skills; itβs how they approach problems. The multi-spired engineer doesnβt see themselves as βjust a programmerβ; they see themselves as a builder of value. And that mindset is what separates those who succeed in an AI-driven world from those who get left behind.
The engineers who stay relevant in the age of AI arenβt the ones who cling to what they already know, theyβre the ones who stay curious and adaptable.
Curiosity is your edge. Keep exploring new tools, frameworks, and concepts, and never settle for just βdoing your job.β Look past tickets and deadlines and learn the bigger picture: what your product does, who it serves, and why it matters.
The tech world will always shift, and those who grow with it will stay valuable. Sharpen your communication and leadership skills because engineers who can guide, influence, and connect ideas are rare. Stop seeing yourself as βjust a programmer.β Start seeing yourself as a builder of real value.
AI will write more code than any single engineer ever could and there's nothing we can do about it. But code alone does not create value. The software engineers who succeed will be the ones who decide what to build and why it matters.
Donβt wait for layoffs or industry disruptions to force you into change. Start now:
The future belongs to engineers who can see beyond the code. Stack your skills, connect the dots across disciplines, and become the person no tool can fully replace.
Continue reading...
Everywhere you look, AI tools are popping up that can write code, fix bugs, and even generate an entire app from scratch in seconds.
At first, it feels cool seeing how much artificial intelligence is growing and how much better it helps you solve coding tasks, but then the bigger question creeps in: if AI keeps getting better, will it eventually replace me in the long run?
Will AI replace software engineers?
AI is already replacing some software engineers and that trend isnβt slowing down, but it wonβt replace all of us. Thatβs the part worth paying attention to and weβll get into why in a moment, but first letβs acknowledge the obvious: this shift isnβt shocking.
As engineers, weβve always built tools to replace old ways of working. This is just another wave of disruption, only now weβre the ones in the hot seat. Ironic, isnβt it? Building our own replacement.
And if you think about it, this isnβt a new story. We build new things to improve or replace the old. Spotify reshaped the music industry, Netflix transformed how we watch movies, and Uber changed the way we think about taxis.
But hereβs the good news: those older industries didnβt completely disappear. I still went to the cinema last week, taxi drivers migrated to Uber, and people still buy songs. The world changed, but it didnβt end, and the same will be true for software engineering.
Which brings us to the real question: how do you survive, adapt, and stay valuable as a software engineer in the age of AI?
The Engineer Who Stands Out
You already know this so let's build on it. If AI can code, why not think beyond coding, broaden your perspective and use your technical skills together with knowledge from other fields to create real impact.
Let's take a case study of 2 software engineers:
Software Engineer 1: Can code.
Software Engineer 2: Can code, but doesn't stop there. He's built range in multiple domains like product management, design, marketing, sales, or business strategy.
Now picture this: both engineers are asked to build a feature for an e-commerce app.
Engineer 1 delivers clean, working code. The feature is technically solid, but thatβs about it.
Engineer 2 also writes the code, but because they understand product and user experience, they suggest a small tweak to improve checkout speed. Thanks to their grasp of business strategy, they highlight how this tweak could increase conversions. And with their communication skills, they explain the impact clearly to both the design and business teams.
Both wrote code. But only one created impact. And thatβs the engineer AI canβt easily replace.
So if AI is already good at coding, which of these two engineers do you think will stand out in the long run? Exactly, the second one. The guy who connects technical skills with multiple domains and consistently drives outcomes that actually matter.
The Edge Engineer 2 Has Over AI
AI is insanely good at narrow, well-defined tasks. Ask it to optimize a query, generate boilerplate code, or refactor a function and itβll crush it every time. But hereβs the catch: AI doesnβt do well once you step outside of those boundaries. It can remix existing patterns, but it struggles to combine ideas from different domains to create something new.
Engineer 2βs edge is exactly that: they donβt just code, they think. They pull from product, design, business, and even psychology to build things that actually matter. They understand customer pain points, connect dots across fields, and create value AI canβt see because itβs trained on the average of whatβs already been done.
The truth is, impact comes from originality and empathy, two areas where humans still have the upper hand. AI can code. Engineer 2 can create outcomes that change the game.
How to Become Engineer 2
Becoming Engineer 2 means you stop being defined only by your ability to code and start stacking skills that make you indispensable. Hereβs how:
1. Strengthen Your Core Technical Depth
AI can write code, but it doesnβt truly understand systems. Your technical foundation should be unshakable; architecture, scalability, debugging, and performance optimization are areas where depth matters.
2. Learn to Think Like a Product Manager
Understand why features are built, what problems they solve, and how they tie into business goals. Engineers who think beyond their tickets have a strategic edge.
3. Adopt Design Thinking
You donβt need to be a designer, but knowing the principles of UX, UI, and user research will make your work far more impactful.
4. Understand Business and Growth
Learn how companies make money, how products are sold, and what drives revenue. Engineers with business insight become trusted decision-makers.
5. Invest in Soft Skills
Communication, persuasion, and empathy are career multipliers. They determine how much influence you can have, no matter your technical strength.
6. Master AI Instead of Fearing It
Learn how AI works, where it shines, and where it fails. Engineers who can use AI effectively will outperform those who ignore it.
7. Collaborate Across Functions
Spend time with teams outside engineering like marketing, sales, design, operations. This is how you connect technical skill with real-world impact.
Engineer 2βs advantage isnβt just their skills; itβs how they approach problems. The multi-spired engineer doesnβt see themselves as βjust a programmerβ; they see themselves as a builder of value. And that mindset is what separates those who succeed in an AI-driven world from those who get left behind.
Having a Future-Proof Mindset
The engineers who stay relevant in the age of AI arenβt the ones who cling to what they already know, theyβre the ones who stay curious and adaptable.
Curiosity is your edge. Keep exploring new tools, frameworks, and concepts, and never settle for just βdoing your job.β Look past tickets and deadlines and learn the bigger picture: what your product does, who it serves, and why it matters.
The tech world will always shift, and those who grow with it will stay valuable. Sharpen your communication and leadership skills because engineers who can guide, influence, and connect ideas are rare. Stop seeing yourself as βjust a programmer.β Start seeing yourself as a builder of real value.
The Road Ahead
AI will write more code than any single engineer ever could and there's nothing we can do about it. But code alone does not create value. The software engineers who succeed will be the ones who decide what to build and why it matters.
Donβt wait for layoffs or industry disruptions to force you into change. Start now:
Learn a skill outside engineering.
Shadow a different team.
Take on a project that challenges you.
The future belongs to engineers who can see beyond the code. Stack your skills, connect the dots across disciplines, and become the person no tool can fully replace.
Continue reading...
