Ex-meta dev says coders are now babysitting unreliable ai compilers—because nothing screams 'promotion' like micromanaging chatgpt interns

The software development profession is undergoing a significant transformation with the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) and coding agents. Despite concerns that automation may replace developers, the need for skilled professionals remains high, with 30 million people worldwide relying on the industry. However, the role of developers is shifting from coding to managing unreliable compilers and orchestrating complex workflows. This change requires developers to adopt a barbell-shaped approach, focusing on planning and verification while leveraging LLMs for coding tasks. Companies like Tonkotsu are developing tools to support this transition, providing powerful planning and verification capabilities. As the industry scales up, developers must learn to delegate tasks effectively, avoiding under-delegation and over-delegation, to ensure high-quality outputs. With the global software development industry continuing to grow, the ability to manage LLMs and coding agents will become a critical skill for developers, enabling them to work more efficiently and effectively.