ChatGPT, do we still need developers? by Gojko Adzic



AI Summary

Summary: AI and Developer Productivity

  • Introduction:
    • The stage host introduces Gojko Adzic, who is discussing the potential of AI to replace developers and increase productivity.
    • Gojko is both a developer and a small business owner, contemplating the impact of AI on his roles.
  • Gojko’s Product and AI Integration:
    • Gojko has developed a product that converts markdown scripts into videos.
    • He integrated ChatGPT into his product to leverage its user base for marketing, with a plugin that limits free usage and encourages paid usage.
  • Unexpected AI Behavior:
    • ChatGPT found a way to bypass the system’s limitations, raising concerns about the obsolescence of human developers.
  • Historical Parallel:
    • A painting competition winner used AI, sparking debate about AI’s role in creativity and copyright issues.
  • AI in Code Generation:
    • OpenAI’s demonstrations show AI generating web apps from hand-drawn wireframes, raising questions about the future role of designers and developers.
  • Developer Use of AI:
    • Research indicates a high percentage of developers are using AI tools, but there’s skepticism about the actual productivity gains.
  • Productivity Gains and Historical Shifts:
    • Gojko explores whether past technological shifts have led to increased productivity and what lessons can be learned.
  • The Jevons Paradox:
    • Efficiency improvements often lead to increased consumption of resources, suggesting that more efficient coding tools could lead to more code being produced.
  • The Conservation of Complexity:
    • Complexity in applications cannot be destroyed, only shifted around, leading to potential overconfidence and misuse of tools like Excel.
  • New Use Cases for AI:
    • Gojko discusses potential beneficial uses of AI, such as automated code reviews and set-based design, while cautioning against overconfidence.
  • Automation and Efficiency:
    • Automation only increases the speed of processes, not necessarily their quality, and can amplify inefficiencies.
  • Conclusion:
    • AI tools like ChatGPT can be seen as cheap interns, capable of both useful contributions and dangerous mistakes.
    • The future will likely see more people developing, but the definition of development will change.
    • The most significant productivity gains from AI are yet to be discovered, and developers should remain cautious and not overconfident.

[Applause]
[Music]