Reflections of a Developer on LLMs in January 2026 (rmoff.net)

In January 2026, reflections on the evolving landscape of Large Language Models (LLMs) reveal a striking dichotomy within the AI community. The technology has advanced significantly, enabling developers to generate programming solutions with unprecedented efficiency and reduced hallucinations, fostering an environment where LLMs are increasingly recognized as valuable tools for coding. However, alongside these advancements, there are growing concerns about misuse, as malicious bot-farms can now produce realistic and misleading content at scale, further complicating the ethical landscape of AI. This moment represents a pivotal shift in how developers are approaching LLMs, likened to the acceptance of cloud computing years prior. As LLMs evolve rapidly, their capability to enhance productivity has transformed conversations from skepticism to integration within programming workflows. Developers are urged to embrace this change, viewing LLMs as indispensable aids—similar to nurturing a junior developer—while being aware of their limitations. The implications for the tech industry are significant, suggesting that proactively adopting and understanding AI tools is crucial for remaining competitive and productive in a rapidly changing digital environment.