Being an engineer in the AI era

Short summary

An engineer laid off by a company pursuing an "AI native" identity reflects on the tension between AI-assisted speed and genuine engineering craftsmanship. They argue that not every problem needs AI, that struggle builds engineering intuition AI cannot replace, and that outsourcing architecture and exploration to agents risks eroding collective team intelligence. The piece advocates for humans using AI while preserving curiosity, ownership, and meaningful connection to the work.

• •Author was laid off because their company wanted to be "AI native"
• •Argues speed ≠ progress and that engineering struggle builds irreplaceable intuition
• •Cautions against outsourcing architecture and exploration to AI agents

Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.