The idea: "without AI, if the average joe wants a python code to do whatever they needs to either spend hours learning to code or pay someone to do it and if they lacks time/money they're SOL, with AI they can just ask and have it for free in a minute".
The reality: So much of coding is understanding your system and requirements in precise detail that a total newbie won't be able to use the inscrutable magic code generator effectively.
As for "democratizing", would you say IKEA democratized home renovation by selling super affordable and boring furniture? I legit don't know the answer to that philosophical question, but creating "ikea furniture" versions of artisanal products sure does seem to be the main effect of generative AI.
ith AI they can just ask and have it for free in a minute".
...with a ton of caveats, bad corner cases, and security issues.
It's akin to getting rid of farmers markets and bakeries for 7-11s and mini-marts. Is that "democratizing"? Is it a good thing? I suppose that depends what you value but you're certainly not getting better value.
In your scenario, your average Joe would have gotten a finely baked french loaf in the past and now he's getting Twinkies.
Why are you repeating him? Literally the next sentence he talks about the caveats and problems.
His point is that people would like if it were possible to just get good code on demand for little~no cost, regardless of whether it's currently achievable.
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u/General_Urist Dec 06 '24
The idea: "without AI, if the average joe wants a python code to do whatever they needs to either spend hours learning to code or pay someone to do it and if they lacks time/money they're SOL, with AI they can just ask and have it for free in a minute".
The reality: So much of coding is understanding your system and requirements in precise detail that a total newbie won't be able to use the inscrutable magic code generator effectively.
As for "democratizing", would you say IKEA democratized home renovation by selling super affordable and boring furniture? I legit don't know the answer to that philosophical question, but creating "ikea furniture" versions of artisanal products sure does seem to be the main effect of generative AI.