Two developers are talking. One says to the other, “I love solving complex problems, but AI is ruining that by solving them for me.” The other dev says, “sorry man, that sounds like a complex problem to solve.”
Developers get their dopamine hits in different ways. Some devs, let’s call them Investigator Devs, live for the thrill of solving intricate technical puzzles. They thrive on debugging, optimizing, and finding just the right algorithm. Others, let’s call them Showcase Devs, find satisfaction in seeing the end software delivered. Their priority is getting functional, high-quality products out the door.
The Problem… AI is Becoming the Better Detective
Imagine you’re a criminal investigator, but you live next door to Sherlock Holmes? You’d be frustrated that he’s solving all the crimes before you could even theorize.
Similarly, AI is increasingly solving the kinds of problems Investigator Devs love. Tools like GitHub Copilot, AI-driven debugging assistants, and self-healing applications are automating everyday problem-solving. That means fewer opportunities for developers who enjoy thinking about the intricate details. While some challenges remain out of AI’s reach—like system architecture and novel integrations—most common issues are being handled faster by machines.
For Showcase Devs, this is great news. AI accelerates development, allowing them to iterate quickly and focus on shipping great software. They don’t need to spend hours debugging—they just want fast solutions so they can keep moving.
The Adaptation Game
Investigator Devs are in an interesting dilemma. If they don’t adopt AI, they will fall behind, but if they do adopt AI, they might get bored want a different career. The simple answer isn’t so simple: learn to love shipping software, not solving low-level problems.
If that doesn’t work, here are a few ways Investigator Devs can adapt without having to retrain your brain to get dopamine hits differently:
- Think Higher Level — Instead of solving individual problems, focus on system design and architecture where human insight matters more.
- Master AI-Driven Development — Learn how AI tools work, fine-tune them, and integrate them effectively.
- Truly Innovate — creating something AI has never heard of is a easier said than done, but there are still challenges that haven’t been solved yet, such as Blockchain Trilemma. Want to solve a challenge? They’re still out there, you just have to look harder. (or maybe something simpler than Blockchain Trilemma like Quantum Computing).
Investigator Devs will need to adapt or fall behind, meanwhile Showcase Devs who embrace AI will continue to be highly motivated. Teams will prioritize efficiency, and those who use AI to build great products faster will have the advantage.
A Future With Fewer Mysteries
AI is shifting the landscape. Developers who insist on solving problems manually will become less efficient, less competitive, and ultimately, less employable. The role of the Investigator Dev isn’t disappearing, but it is changing. Those who fail to adapt may find that their beloved mysteries have already been solved—just not by them.
(written by Cory with some help from AI.)
Great post, really resonated with me. With over 15 years in development, I’ve built my fair share of complex solutions from scratch, and I’ve found that AI shines when it comes to handling the more mundane tasks I’m already comfortable with. I also think junior developers and even absolute beginners stand to gain the most, as AI can help bridge some of the gaps in fullstack knowledge.
I love the thrill of solving those intricate problems (the ones that sometimes keep you up at night). A few months into my career, I actually hit an AI induced burnout when the challenges seemed to evaporate. What pulled me through was stepping outside my usual stack and diving into new technologies. AI made that a bit less daunting by lowering the barrier to entry.
Burnout will lead some developers to find a way out or back into software development. I see burnout as a pivotal point in a software engineer’s career that can either make or break them. AI, in my opinion, will impact those dopamine fixes we get from our handcrafted software experiences. But to your point, no matter where we are in our development journey, AI will creep in and change the landscape of software development. If we want to stay relevant, we need to embrace it and learn to adapt.
For advanced developers feeling burnout, I’d say keep exploring. There’s always a way to reignite the passion for programming, whether it’s through learning something new or rethinking your approach to the problems that need solving. Keep coding, keep experimenting, and you’ll find that renewed spark in software development.
Thanks for your comments, Ray! I’m glad you’re through the burnout and found a way to challenge yourself in new ways.