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AI Boosts Engineers, Doesn't Replace Them
30 Nov, 2025
Summary
- AI tools augment, not substitute, engineering roles.
- Thrive Capital investor sees AI as productivity booster.
- Gen Z engineers express concern over AI's job impact.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the role of software engineers by augmenting their skills, not eliminating jobs, suggests Thrive Capital partner Philip Clark. He has observed firsthand how AI coding tools, including those from OpenAI and Cursor, enhance engineering productivity.
Clark stated that none of the companies he has invested in have terminated engineers because of AI advancements. Instead, these tools are empowering engineers to become significantly more efficient, potentially acting as '100x engineers.' This contrasts with concerns, particularly among Gen Z college seniors, who worry about AI's impact on their career prospects.
While overall hiring for software engineers may be down, the exact cause remains unclear. AI's benefits, such as increased productivity and unlocking new opportunities, are significant. Clark remains optimistic that AI will automate menial tasks, allowing humans to focus on critical areas like oncology and space exploration.
