Code Is Cheap Now, and That Changes Everything
perevillega.com
April 9, 2026
9 min read
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44/100
Summary
Kent Beck stated that 90% of his skills became worthless due to advancements in technology, while 10% of his skills became significantly more valuable. He emphasized the importance of having a vision, setting milestones, and maintaining design control as essential skills for developers in the evolving landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Kent Beck stated that 90% of traditional coding skills have lost value, while skills related to vision and project management have become significantly more valuable.
- Paul Ford demonstrated that coding projects which previously cost hundreds of thousands of dollars can now be completed for as little as $150 using AI tools like Claude Code.
- The cost of code production has drastically decreased, leading to a shift in industry practices such as planning and prioritization, which were previously shaped by the high cost of coding.
- Cheaper code production is expected to unlock latent demand for software solutions, enabling the resolution of previously unsolvable problems.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- AI-assisted development opens up opportunities for generalists, enabling them to leverage AI tools for coding tasks that were previously challenging.
Concerns
- The reliance on heavily subsidized AI tools raises concerns about sustainability, as costs may eventually rise to levels comparable to hiring junior developers.
- Ignoring the environmental and economic implications of cheap code could lead to unforeseen consequences, such as increased RAM and storage costs.
