Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

> If AI is a threat to software engineering, I wouldn't expect many software engineers to actively accelerate that trend. I personally don't view it as a threat, but some people (non engineers?) obviously do.

Software engineers have been automating away jobs for other people for nearly a century. It would be quite rich if the profession suddenly felt qualms about the process! (TBC I think automation is great and should always be pursued. Ofc there are real human concerns when change happens quickly but I am skeptical that smashing the looms is the best response)



Software engineering has also been automating its own jobs for ages. The first thing we engineers do when asked to do a repetitive thing is find ways to automate it. I think the industry had qualms about losing their jobs. But honestly what are the examples of people losing their jobs to software ? Everybody says that this has happened many times yet examples are hard to come by.


> But honestly what are the examples of people losing their jobs to software?

And furthermore, what is the full causality chain that links the precise PR in provided example software to the employment termination decision? Lacking that, can you really assert the software 'automated' a dev out of the job?


Honeslty I would even accept statistical test (but conclusive, no p-hacked bullshit). Yet I just dont see examples of devs being automated out of a job.


> But honestly what are the examples of people losing their jobs to software ?

Bank tellers

Travel agents

Cashiers

Bookkeeping clerks

Typists


Many of these still exist today, though is not as large of numbers. Maybe it's the same for software engineers. I still don't recall hearing of bank tellers accelerating the pace of ATMs or Travel Agents encouraging their clients to use Expedia.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: