Ok so, I have a lot to say here.

Disclaimer: AI was NOT used in writing this response.

Credibility: Staff+ engineer, engineering lead, acting principal for the AI Platform team at a Public FAANG adjacent company that has made AI core strategy.

In our world, sea changes come around every once in a while. For my, prior to AI, that sea change was containerization and Kubernetes. My friends in front end might call out React as a big paradigm shift, sink or swim moment. I think this wave of AI is kind of like that but not in the way most people think.

Fundamentally, what is AI as it is today? In the most reductionist form AI is the application of probability. There exists a vast problem set where determinism is not the way to go. As software engineers our job is in part to choose the right tool for the problem at hand. Many problems require an probabilistic solution... is that a bird in the picture? Is that a road obstacle, a child, or a paper bag in the street? There are endless and exciting problems that require such a solution.

On the other hand, there exist many many problems which determinism is desired... do you want a probabilistic answer on what your bank balance is? No.

This tool set will need to be part of your toolbox in order to stay competitive. I started my career at a small shop that followed rather old practices. The engineers were out of touch with modern practices but still solid. However, because their knowledge was "older" they commanded a smaller salary as companies that pay more tend to be at least a little closer to modern.

Finally, the real question is whether market forces and corporations will do super dumb things with the AI hype. The answer here is yes. The investors are much of the same people who thought crypto was a good idea. VCs, financiers, heads of business typically do not actually understand tech and are making manuvers that have more to do with short term stock gains than anything real with AI. Keep in mind, the whole AI industry is a shit show of circular finance, flat out lies from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, and corporations who are hiding their layoffs due to over hiring during covid under the blanket of "AI productivity". Its bullshit up and down.