Yunus Emre Vurgun's Blog

Cognition announced their new AI software engineer

Here we go again with new developments that stir up excitement...

I’m Yunus, and I’m here to offer a little clarity.

Let’s break this down.

The company named "Cognition" has announced their new AI "software engineer" called "Devin," claiming it's an "artificial software engineer." The buzz is that we might not need programmers anymore! Sounds a bit dramatic, right?

The announcement has people going wild.

Many business leaders are thrilled about it (get rid of those developers, right?). Some developers are even contemplating a career change out of fear.

But let’s take a closer look.

The truth is often more nuanced than the hype suggests. While AI tools like "Devin" might have some impressive capabilities, they don’t completely replace the need for human expertise. AI hype, much like other marketing phenomena, can sometimes be exaggerated by those looking to cash in on the latest trends.

You’ll hear a lot of cheering from various tech figures and other professionals, but many of them might not have a deep understanding of the core principles of software development, discrete mathematics, and computing. This lack of foundational knowledge can lead to unrealistic expectations about what these tools can achieve.

Despite the buzz, it’s clear that you can’t magically create a tool that solves all computing problems and makes human expertise obsolete. It’s a bit like claiming you have a magical horse with a pink tail that brings happiness—sounds charming, but not very realistic.

The same energy applies here. History shows that despite advances in technology, the demand for skilled developers remains strong. New tools often shift the focus of tasks rather than eliminating the need for human input altogether.

So, is "Devin" truly special?

It’s worth noting that while "Devin" may offer some new features, it appears to be more about integrating existing AI models and running code in a specific way. It's similar to AutoGPT being marketed as something revolutionary.

In summary, while "Devin" might have some good capabilities, it’s important to keep a balanced perspective and not let the hype cloud our understanding of what it can really do.

Wed. Mar. 13 2024 | Yunus Emre Vurgun