Software Engineers in 2026

No. We're going to need software engineers as long as we're still using distinct software. We're headed for a world where (in most cases) the AI just does directly what we use software for but until accuracy increases (by 1 or 2 generations) and prices go down to the point where it's cost effective to run agents 24/7 (1-5 years away) we won't get there and, even then, there will be a transition (probably the slowest part). Until then we're dealing with what always happens with software development advances. The barrier to entry goes down, the demand for software goes up.