RIP Low-Code 2014-2025 (www.zackliscio.com)

The rise of AI, particularly agentic development, poses a significant threat to low-code platforms, which have allowed non-technical users to create software without extensive coding resources. While Forrester projects substantial growth in the low-code sector, reaching $50 billion by 2028, the introduction of AI coding tools challenges the ROI of these platforms. In effect, it is becoming faster and cheaper for developers to build custom tools compared to utilizing low-code solutions, leading to a shift in how businesses approach software development. An illustrative case is provided by Cloud Capital, which transitioned from heavily relying on the low-code platform Retool to developing internal tools directly within their codebase. This shift not only accelerated their development process but also improved the usability and maintainability of the tools created. As organizations increasingly recognize the limitations of low-code platforms in the face of AI capabilities, they may opt for in-house development to enhance efficiency and agility, signaling a potential transformation in the software development landscape. The future survival of low-code platforms may depend on their ability to adapt and provide experiences that meet or exceed the capabilities offered by emerging AI tools.