7 software skills that AI can’t replace
AI Summary
Summary of Video: Key Skills for Software Engineers
- Scope Engineering
- Great engineers adapt requirements based on understanding the operating environment.
- Example: The design of the SR-71 Blackbird focused on speed and altitude to evade detection rather than merely increasing radar stealth.
- Lateral Thinking
- Innovative solutions are vital—simply enhancing existing technologies (like building faster horses) isn’t enough.
- Engineers are required to invent entirely new solutions instead of just improving old ones, as exemplified by GraphQL.
- Technical Amortization
- Managing technical debt is crucial; LLMs struggle to identify what constitutes good or bad code.
- Efficient refactoring involves understanding codebases deeply rather than starting from scratch.
- Deductive Reasoning
- Unlike LLMs, humans excel at top-down reasoning, drawing specific conclusions from general principles.
- Deductive reasoning is essential for effective problem-solving beyond pattern recognition.
- Second Order Consequences
- Engineers must predict beyond immediate results, considering long-term effects of decisions.
- Humans can analyze complex outcomes and their implications effectively.
- System Thinking
- Understanding entire systems is critical; engineers should think holistically instead of in fragments.
- LLMs cannot replicate the cognitive ability to navigate complex systems seamlessly.
- Estimation and Prioritization
- Effective engineering involves balancing competing goals and dealing with ambiguity; it’s not just about writing code.
- Successful delivery requires understanding dynamic contexts and prioritizing tasks.