AI Twitter's favourite lie: everyone wants to be a developer (www.joanwestenberg.com)

Recent discussions on Twitter suggest that with advancements in large language models capable of generating code, everyone will soon become a software developer. However, this notion overlooks the reality of user behavior; most individuals prefer seamless experiences without engaging deeply with technology. The argument hinges on the belief that removing technical barriers will unleash latent creativity, but historical examples, such as desktop publishing and website building, indicate that many people choose to rely on existing solutions rather than creating their own. The crux of the issue lies in the "spec problem," where defining software requirements remains challenging, regardless of how easy code generation becomes. While AI demos showcase quick app creation with clear specifications, real-world problems are often complex and poorly articulated, leaving users disinterested in hands-on software development. The expectation is that AI will enhance existing software, making it smarter and more responsive, rather than transforming the average person into a developer. Thus, the true impact of AI in software development may be improving user experience rather than democratizing coding skills for all.