It’s 2026, and I’m still in tech, working as a Senior Software Engineer, despite the gloomy headlines about AI replacing engineers.
Honestly, I enjoy it.
The work challenges me. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. I break things, get frustrated, blame the machine, and eventually fix them. Rinse and repeat. Who wouldn’t want a job like that? It pays well too, if you know your worth.
Since ChatGPT launched in 2022, AI has evolved rapidly and affected almost everyone, engineers included. But I don’t believe we’re being replaced, at least not if we are willing to evolve. AI is a tool, not a substitute. Used well, it amplifies what engineers already do best, much like mechanics rely on specialised tools to diagnose and fix complex problems. Ignore it, and you fall behind. Learn to use it, and you level up.
Plan for this year
I’ve been fairly quiet online for years, but lately I’ve felt an urge to build things I can genuinely be proud of. Call it an existential crisis if you want. Either way, meaningful change starts with small, consistent steps.
This year, I want to:
- Be more visible, maintain a personal portfolio, write blog posts, and share what I’m learning.
- Build an achievement tracker and set deliberately unrealistic goals, just to see how far I can actually go.
- Re-engage with computer science and mathematics, especially data structures and algorithms.
- Learn Rust properly.
- Speak in front of 300+ people.
No grand promises, just progress. Let’s see how far I can get.
