In a span of two decades, AI has transitioned from rule-based systems and neural networks to the generative era. I’ve seen this transformation unfold across regions, including Asia, where markets like Singapore are accelerating AI adoption through initiatives such as AI Trailblazers 2.0.
AI-nxiety is real. Recently, some of my computer science students have asked whether AI will take away jobs. This concern reflects broader discussions across disciplines, from STEM to creative fields such as graphic design and writing.
Despite this progress, I’ve always believed that AI will not entirely replace human talent such as software developers. Instead, it will augment our capabilities, enabling us to achieve more than ever before.
Developers who embrace AI will enhance design, system thinking, architecture, and user experience in ways automation alone cannot.
Before diving deeper into this evolution, let’s take a moment to talk about builders — a concept central to Twilio. We define builders as creators. They can be software developers, designers, or individuals with no technical background. Understanding their needs is critical because those needs are constantly shifting.
For example, developers spend only about two hours a day writing code; the rest of their time is consumed by meetings or waiting for builds. Their top priority is productivity. They want tools that help them maximise their limited time to code.
Non-technical builders have a similar, though distinct, need. They may not be experts in writing code, but they want the ability to create independently. For them, no-code/low-code platforms, AI assistants, and intuitive builder experiences are key to unlocking their potential and working efficiently.
The future of building, whether for developers or non-technical creators, isn’t about AI replacing them. It’s about AI enabling them to do more, faster, and with greater impact.
AI’s impact on dev teams
Much like a new programming language, AI is proving to be a powerful tool for developers, but not a replacement. In the past, languages like C were the foundation of software development. As languages evolved to Python, Ruby, and Java, many predicted a reduced need for developers due to the simplification of complex tasks. Yet those predictions never came to pass. The field expanded, and developers took on more creative, abstract problem-solving roles.
A similar shift is occurring with AI. While AI can automate routine coding tasks, it cannot replace the higher-order creativity and systems thinking that skilled developers bring. Builders are not merely code generators, they are architects and strategists capable of navigating ambiguity and driving change within an organisation. They take an interdisciplinary approach to designing, building, and managing complex systems.
Thinking beyond code
AI is reshaping the developer role, shifting the focus from code generation to system design and architectural thinking. In large-scale systems, how components interact is often more important than individual lines of code.
In the communications space, this shift has been clear. Flexible APIs have long played a key role in abstracting the complexity of communications — from navigating regulations and security requirements to handling inconsistent implementations across channels. This approach addressed a clear need at the time, but as developers’ priorities evolved, productivity became the main concern. In response, the industry began moving toward platforms that prioritise trust, simplicity, and intelligence.
But why do these qualities matter when it comes to system design and productivity?
- Trust – Builders need to trust the platform they are working with. It must be reliable, secure, and resilient so they can focus on innovation without worrying about failures.
- Simple – Productivity is a top priority. The most effective systems reduce friction, shorten time to production, and abstract complexity to make building and scaling easier.
- Smart – Leveraging AI and contextual data helps reduce time, enhance user experiences, and manage complexity, allowing developers to work faster and more effectively.
This reflects the core of systems thinking — moving away from fragmented tools and point solutions to a cohesive, connected platform that allows builders to innovate more rapidly and with greater impact. AI may improve productivity, but the fundamentals of software development (design, architecture, and user experience) remain distinctly human.
Embracing the builder mindset
The future of software development isn’t about AI replacing developers. It’s about developers becoming experience-driven builders who understand the technology, validate their work, and keep the customer at the centre of what they do.
This evolution requires stronger testing skills, thoughtful AI integration, and a deep understanding of users and the technology at hand.
The rise of AI and automation doesn’t mean only developers can build — it means that anyone with the right mindset and tools can. The next generation of builders will combine creativity with curiosity, strategic thinking with data insights, and AI-driven efficiency with human intuition.
AI won’t replace builders — but it will drive their evolution
As we enter a new era of creation, every builder — technical or not — must embrace new tools while staying grounded in creativity, problem-solving, and user-centred thinking. True expertise starts with mastering the fundamentals: Just as an artist must learn to paint before using digital tools, builders must develop core knowledge — whether in software development, product design, marketing, or business strategy — before relying on AI-generated outputs.
Adaptability and curiosity are essential. The technology landscape will continue to shift, and those who explore its potential will thrive. At the same time, creative and analytical thinking remains vital. AI can handle repetitive tasks, but human insight cannot be replicated. Whether crafting a compelling narrative, solving customer problems, or designing meaningful experiences, the builder’s value lies in their unique perspective and ideas.
In Singapore’s increasingly AI-first economy — where technology plays a role in everything from transport and education to finance and governance — embracing innovation is expected, but letting it define the work is not. While machines may power the infrastructure, it’s people who drive the vision. True innovation lies in knowing when to harness AI for efficiency, and when to rely on human insight, creativity, and judgment. The future belongs to builders who can use AI as a tool to solve real problems in ways only people can.
If you want to lead in the AI era, don’t wait for AI to create things for you. Use it to bring your ideas to life. In a world where automation is accelerating, human connection and creativity have never been more valuable. Let’s keep building experiences that move us forward.
