AI handles most coding, so software engineers must focus on communication-asking the right questions, shaping specs, and managing trade-offs-to stay effective in 2026.
AI coding agents have reached a point where they can handle most non-trivial programming tasks. The author notes spending over $500 on Claude Code in a single month and getting 80% of a solution with a vanilla prompt. In that context, writing code is no longer the differentiator for engineers. What now matters is the ability to craft a good spec. Tickets often lack critical details, so engineers must ask clarifying questions, surface hidden assumptions, drive trade-off discussions, and push back on scope without burning bridges. Those conversational skills used to be optional for individual contributors, but they have become non-negotiable. Communication is a human skill that AI cannot replace. It requires empathy and the willingness to engage with stakeholders, turning vague requirements into actionable plans. Technical leaders who master this skill can keep projects aligned, reduce rework, and keep their teams productive in an AI-augmented world.
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