I feel like an artisan shoe maker in the age of Nike (modelcontextexperience.com)

In a thought-provoking piece, a seasoned information architect reflects on the transformative impact of AI on product design and user experience by 2026. The author highlights significant advancements in AI, particularly in reasoning and tool use capabilities, which have led to the emergence of powerful AI agents like Claude Code. These agents can now perform economically valuable engineering tasks at scale, drastically changing the landscape of software development. The article illustrates this shift with an insight from an engineer who recently completed an impressive amount of coding with minimal human intervention, suggesting a new era where automation reshapes traditional roles. The implications for the AI/ML community, particularly for product and UX professionals, are profound. As AI technologies evolve, long-standing processes and methodologies like Agile and Lean may no longer suffice in a landscape where software creation becomes faster and more efficient. The author encourages professionals in these fields to adapt by re-evaluating their practices and collaborating closely with engineers and stakeholders to embrace a dynamic working environment. By stepping away from outdated frameworks and exploring innovative ways to work together, the community can better prepare for the challenges and opportunities presented by the AI revolution.