A venture capitalist has highlighted a growing divide among software engineers as AI tools reshape the industry. Deedy Das, a partner at Menlo Ventures, described two emerging groups: "lazy" engineers who rely heavily on AI for coding tasks and "craftsmen" who review and fix AI-generated code. Das claimed this shift is causing an "identity crisis bordering on depression" among engineers, as their roles evolve from writing software to managing AI outputs.
The broader issue is what Business Insider calls "AI sprawl," where workers juggle multiple AI tools without clear productivity gains. Das noted that the burden of reviewing AI-generated code falls disproportionately on experienced engineers, leading to fatigue. He also suggested that AI is making code generation easier but reviewing and maintaining it more challenging, a phenomenon he likened to "botsitting."
The debate over AI's impact on software engineering is part of a larger discussion about the future of the profession. While some engineers embrace AI tools for efficiency, others express concerns about job displacement and the erosion of traditional coding skills. The shift raises questions about the long-term value of software engineers in an AI-driven landscape.