AI · 1h ago
AI Coding Agents Won't Kill Developer Jobs, History Shows
An essay by Brad DeLong argues AI coding agents are just the latest in a long line of tools that compress execution but not decision-making. Historical data shows programmer headcount grew from 2,000 in 1935 to 2.5 million in 2025 as tools improved. The scarce skill in 2026 will be decision quality and accountability, not build speed.
Meridian48 take
The piece usefully counters AI hype with historical data, but enterprise adoption may still displace junior roles before new demand materializes.
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Coding Agents and Developer Economics on the Microsoft Stack (2026) →
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