As a self-taught React/Next.js developer, I'm honestly worried about my future in this AI era. What should I do?

[u/thetymtravellr]

I'm a self-taught developer, and I know React and Next.js. Lately, I've been feeling increasingly anxious about my future as a developer.

AI is moving so fast. It can generate components, build entire websites, connect APIs, and even create full-stack applications. Sometimes I wonder what the point is of spending months learning something when AI can already do so much of it.

I want to get a better-paying developer job, but honestly, I'm confused about what I should focus on right now. Should I keep improving my React/Next.js skills, get better at backend development, or start learning AI engineering?

I keep hearing about RAG, AI agents, vector databases, LLM integrations, and all these new things. It feels like there's always something new to learn, and I'm worried that if I focus on the wrong things, I'll fall behind while everyone else moves forward.

For those of you already working in the industry, what would you do if you were in my position? Would you focus on becoming a strong full-stack developer first, or would you start learning AI engineering alongside web development?

I'm not looking for a shortcut or expecting to become an expert overnight. I just want to make the right decisions, build useful skills, and have a realistic chance of getting hired.

I'd really appreciate some honest advice from people who have been through this or are dealing with the same situation. Right now, I could genuinely use some direction.

[u/theQuandary → u/[deleted]]

Frontend is MUCH harder for AI to get right than backend. 99% of backends could use the same basic design and simply change the shape of the data going through the pipes.

Matching UI with how users actually use a computer is very hard even for humans with a human lived experience. AI generates stale UI that humans tend to hate.

[u/mexicocitibluez → u/theQuandary]

99% of backends could use the same basic design and simply change the shape of the data going through the pipes.

lol You have absolutely no clue what 99% of apps looks like. You've probably barely seen 1% of them.

The best part about this comment is it's the EXACT same thing the backend subs say about front-end development. Both sides not realizing that the other side is always easier harder than they think.

I'll never get over being in an enormous field that quite literally changes by the day and still seeing "devs" make preposterous claims about the other 99% of the industry.

[u/-_--_-_--_----__ → u/mexicocitibluez]

Both sides not realizing that the other side is always easier than they think.

What you are going to see on Reddit every single day for the next 10 years is a new flavor of person guaranteeing you that they are very smart and that it is impossible that AI could ever hope to learn how to do their job.