DRAFT: Back To Software Solutions

their cultures are so thoroughly disconnected from the creation of software that solves the problems that real people face that they’ll burn [Microsoft] to the ground[1]

Generative AI is the latest in growth-driven software looking for a problem. Tens of thousands of computer programmers have spent the past few decades jumping from one digital hype cycle to the next; digital advertising, social media platforms, algorithmic trading, crypto/blockchain, Web3, NFTs, VR, and now LLMs. Computer programmers used to write software as tools for people; operating systems, word processors, spreadsheets, email, web browsers, document management systems, and video, audio, and image editors.

This is not to say the Microsoft’s of the world employing thousands of programmers had your concerns and productivity at heart; Microsoft Office locked up much of the corporate and educational world. Nor that computer programmers always worked on pragmatic code; Microsoft Clippy frustrated much of the corporate and educational world.

The digital technology industry avoided re-tasking their workforce to the blockchain or the metaverse but after $150bn in spending on Generative AI one has to wonder what has happened to good old software.

[1] https://www.wheresyoured.at/subprimeai/?ref=ed-zitrons-wheres-your-ed-at-newsletter