Code Is Cheap. Engineering Judgement Is Now the Scarce Resource

As AI coding agents make software implementation dramatically cheaper, the primary bottleneck is shifting from the cost of writing code to the scarcity of engineering judgment. This new reality means that while prototyping ideas is easier, the burden of ownership and maintenance for new products increases significantly. The most valuable skills are now deciding what should exist, what to intentionally not build, and understanding the context and principles behind good design. Ultimately, focus, taste, and strategic decision-making are becoming the most critical engineering assets in an AI-driven world.