A Life Engineered Why Even The Best Engineers Are Afraid Of What’s Coming | Philip Su
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Nov 10, 2025 In this conversation, Philip Su, a Senior Software Engineer and entrepreneur with a history at Meta and Microsoft, discusses the troubling implications of AI on engineering jobs. He candidly warns that many developers may struggle to compete with AI in the coming decade. While he foresees companies opting for efficiency, he also emphasizes the ongoing value of top engineers and the importance of mastering AI tools. Additionally, he touches on the necessity for fair automation rules, the future of human-AI collaboration, and his motivations behind creating the Superphonic podcast player.
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Pace Your Career Progression
- Avoid speed-running career ladders without a plan for after you reach the top.
- Save promotions and motion so you maintain purpose over decades.
AI Is A Surprising Discovery
- AI behaves more like a discovery than a designed invention and often surprises its creators.
- If researchers are surprised, broad predictions about which jobs are “safe” are unreliable.
Prepare For Companies Doing More With Less
- Expect companies to choose "more with less" by cutting headcount and boosting per-employee output.
- Prepare for workforce reduction as CEOs optimize for higher per-capita earnings.
