The Essence of Being a Developer in the AI Era

Sam Altman said "even if the way we program changes dramatically in the future, the fundamental value will still create new demand." I completely agree with this. Looking at how fast the latest models like GPT-o3 have been advancing, the future will be even more dazzling, and it's natural for many developers to worry.

What's interesting is that people around me who have already established their own standards or have clear personal principles tend to worry less about this. Instead, they focus on "how do I leverage the change?" rather than "the change itself." I believe this mindset has driven their growth and made them competitive in the market.

Based on this, aspiring junior developers especially need to think more deeply about "the essence of a developer" in the ever-changing programming market and establish their own personal standards. In my view, the essence of a developer isn't simply someone who codes, but more of an "inventor" who implements ideas that make the world more fun and convenient using the digital landscape.

Rather than building grandiose architectures or systems, I believe those who set small hypotheses and consistently execute to create "relatable fun and value" are the ones who earn recognition and shine.

I've been spending my days with various thoughts lately too. Ultimately, what I want to say is: rather than chasing trends to become a developer, or getting caught up in judgments like "shouldn't developers be doing this kind of thing?", I hope more people with such wonderful values emerge around us. And I send my heartfelt encouragement to all the "Alan Turings" and "John von Neumanns" out there contemplating their careers in an uncertain job market.