I asked chatgpt what it thinks about this picture:
Explanation: The comic humorously points out the perception versus reality of AI's role in reducing complexity. Here's a breakdown:
  1. Current Situation: Engineers face a "pile of complexity" in the form of languages, toolchains, and infrastructure.
  2. What People Think AI Will Do: Non-engineers believe that AI will make this pile of complexity disappear, simplifying the process and leading directly to applications.
  3. What Is Actually Going to Happen: Instead of entirely eliminating the complexity, AI introduces its own set of complexities. This means engineers will still face challenges, albeit different ones, and perhaps even more than before.
The comic suggests that while AI might hide or change some of the complexities, it doesn't eliminate them entirely. Engineers will still have to grapple with new challenges introduced by AI, in addition to the pre-existing ones. This is a sentiment shared by many in the tech industry, as any new technology brings its own set of intricacies and challenges.
Opinion: The comic reflects a sentiment that, while advancements like AI promise simplification, they often introduce new complexities. This is not just true for AI but for many technological advancements. The introduction of new technologies usually brings a learning curve and the need to manage and integrate these technologies within existing systems.
From a technical standpoint, the comic touches on a real challenge: AI, while powerful, is not a panacea. Implementing AI can introduce new layers of complexity in terms of data management, model training, interpretability, and more.
So, the comic offers a humorous yet critical perspective on the promise versus the practical implications of AI in the realm of software development and engineering.