As a Principal Engineer in a SaaS company (epilot), I've had the privilege of witnessing — and navigating — the profound shifts in our industry brought about by artificial intelligence (AI). Today, I see a parallel between the rise of AI and the industrial revolution's assembly lines, particularly how they redefined craftsmanship. The tools and technologies shaping our workflows are setting the stage for a similar evolution in engineering. Let me share why I believe AI is to software engineers what assembly lines, operated by specialized machines, were to craftsmen.

The Assembly Line Revolution: A Historical Parallel

Before assembly lines, craftsmen played a central role in manufacturing. Their expertise, honed over years, was essential to building everything from furniture to tools. Then came the assembly line — a system of specialized machines that automated repetitive tasks. This revolution didn't eliminate craftsmen but redefined their roles. Some transitioned to overseeing machines, while others adapted to focus on more creative and high-value work.

Fast-forward to today, and software engineers find themselves in a similar position. AI tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and automation platforms are the specialized machines of our era. They can generate code, detect bugs, and even suggest architecture patterns — tasks that once required countless hours of manual effort.

How AI is Transforming Software Engineering

AI is fundamentally changing the way engineers work by automating repetitive tasks. For example:

• Code Generation: Tools like Copilot reduce the time spent on boilerplate code, freeing us to focus on solving complex problems.
• Testing and Debugging: Automated testing platforms pinpoint errors with remarkable accuracy, shifting our attention to ensuring quality and scalability.
• Decision Support: AI-driven analytics provide actionable insights, helping engineers make faster, data-informed decisions.

The result? Engineers are spending less time "turning screws" and more time shaping strategy and design.

The Evolution of Roles: From Engineer to Product Engineer

This transformation parallels how craftsmen evolved into new roles. For software engineers, the path forward leads to becoming Product Engineers or Product Designers — hybrid roles that emphasize:

User-Centric Thinking: Understanding not just the code but the problem it solves for the user.

Collaboration: Working closely with designers, product managers, and business stakeholders to align technical solutions with business goals.

Creativity and Innovation: Using AI not as a crutch but as an enabler to explore new possibilities and deliver better user experiences.

These roles demand a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and creativity — qualities that AI cannot replicate.

Adapting to the New Reality

Just as craftsmen had to learn to operate and adapt to assembly lines, engineers must adapt to AI. Here are some practical strategies to thrive in this new era:

1. Develop Cross-Functional Skills

• Learn product management basics to understand how features align with user needs and business goals.
• Enhance your UX/UI knowledge to better contribute to user-focused solutions.

2. Adopt a Problem-Solving Mindset

• Shift from "How do I build this?" to "What problem am I solving?"
• Engage with users and stakeholders to deeply understand the why behind every feature.

3. Embrace AI as a Tool, Not a Threat

• Use AI to automate mundane tasks, but keep the creative and strategic elements under your control.
• Experiment with AI-driven tools to understand their strengths and limitations.

4. Focus on Continuous Learning

• Stay updated on emerging technologies, AI capabilities, and industry trends.
• Build side projects or contribute to product-focused initiatives to sharpen your skills.

A Call to Engineers: Redefine Your Craft

As software engineers, we stand on the cusp of a new era, one where AI redefines our craft much as assembly lines redefined traditional craftsmanship. But this isn't the end of engineering as we know it — it's a chance to evolve.

The future belongs to those who can bridge the gap between technology and product, between machine and user. Whether we call them Product Engineers, Product Designers, or something else entirely, these roles will define the next generation of our industry.

So, let's embrace AI — not as a replacement, but as a collaborator — and focus on what makes us uniquely human: creativity, empathy, and the ability to solve meaningful problems.

Are you ready to redefine your craft?