The Art of Craftsmanship (Monozukuri) in the Age of AI - Raphael Amorim (rapha.land)

In a thought-provoking article, Raphael Amorim critiques the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in software development, emphasizing that while AI can enhance productivity by generating code rapidly, it often undermines the essential qualities of craftsmanship rooted in deep technical understanding. He argues that the corporate focus on time efficiency has shifted attention from the process of creation to the end result, leading to a trend of "AI slop," where code generated by language models is poorly understood by developers. This raises significant concerns about quality and maintainability in software projects. Amorim draws parallels between this phenomenon and the Japanese concept of monozukuri, which embodies craftsmanship, continuous improvement, and a commitment to quality. He advocates for a balanced approach where AI serves as a tool to assist developers rather than replace foundational skills. By stressing the importance of truly understanding the craft, he warns that a lack of expertise makes programmers interchangeable and vulnerable to being replaced by AI. The underlying message is clear: to harness the full potential of AI in programming, practitioners must prioritize skill development and engage deeply with the creative process rather than solely focusing on efficiency.