The Human-in-the-Loop is Tired

The text explores the current landscape of programming with large language models (LLMs), highlighting the paradox of increased utility and destabilization they present to developers. It describes how LLMs, while automating code writing, shift the cognitive load to supervision and review, leading to a unique fatigue and a sense of isolation in the development process. The parallel is drawn to the transition to responsive design, underscoring the shift from control to adaptability. The narrative emphasizes the evolving nature of software engineering skills, suggesting a focus on nuance, architectural judgment, and adaptability as essential traits for success in this new environment. It also touches on the psychological impact of this shift, noting the experiences of developers at Pydantic who are creating tools to make LLM-powered software more reliable, while also grappling with the challenges of this rapid technological change. Despite the fears of obsolescence and skill rot, the text concludes that human capacities like attention and judgment remain invaluable, with the industry undergoing a significant transformation rather than an end.