How to Live with AI
I work as a systems engineer.
(Though, this note is not a technical blog at all.)
When I first started my career as an engineer as a fresh graduate with no experience, I enjoyed coding. The result of trial and error, seeing the code I wrote work as expected—that moment was pure joy.
Now, in terms of coding, I have completely given up on competing with AI.
I have no choice but to give up. They are overwhelmingly faster. As long as you provide the materials and give precise instructions, they can instantly assemble processes that adhere to language specifications and coding standards, all after investigating the impact on existing processes.
Recently, I have started letting AI handle most of the coding work while I simultaneously put my mind to requirements definition for other projects and the business efficiency improvements I want to achieve.
I don't feel much sadness about the fact that I hardly write code anymore.
The starting point for me choosing this profession, even though I don't have a science background, was simply the desire to 'create things.' Even if AI becomes the one doing the coding, the fact that the human (me) is the one creating the blueprints for the functions I want to realize remains unchanged.
Therefore, my sense of fulfillment and interest hasn't been significantly diminished. Rather, I am helped daily by the phenomenal speed at which designs take shape.
To make the most of my limited time, AI has effectively become an indispensable presence.
I don't feel sadness, but I do feel something like guilt. Even though I write so little code now, can I really call myself an engineer? It's that kind of hazy, unsettled feeling.
Of course, even before the rise of AI, coding was never the only job of an engineer. Besides, even if AI outputs code that looks plausible at first glance, adopting it 'uncritically' is not the proper role of an engineer.
I feel that what will be required of engineers from now on is how skillfully they can control AI while keeping a firm grip on the reins.
Even after writing all this, this unsettled feeling doesn't seem like it will disappear anytime soon.
Even if I could never beat AI, I wish I could have become someone who could write better code. It's not like it's too late or anything, but watching code being generated at incredible speeds right in front of me, I feel a little frustrated, or perhaps a sense of emptiness.
The world is truly in the AI era. Everyone is familiar with AI in their daily lives, using nicknames like Chappy or Jamie. It's an amazing time.
AI technology will continue to develop remarkably, and we will likely live in the midst of both its benefits and its threats. I feel both anticipation and fear.
As an engineer and in other aspects of life, how should I live with AI?
As with most things, it is important to use it correctly by following the instructions and dosage.
See you again 🤖