Vibe Coding #3 - Robert Welch - Is AI Making Engineers Worse?
Aug 8, 2025
Robert Welch, Chief Innovation Officer at APM Help, dives into the effects of AI on engineering skills. He debates whether AI tools are speeding up development at the cost of core capabilities. Welch emphasizes the importance of maintaining quality through tests and reviews while balancing the use of AI as an augmenting tool rather than a replacement. The discussion also covers security measures against scams and the uniqueness of human creativity in music compared to AI-generated content.
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Rapid Zero-To-One Prototyping
- Robert Welch runs APM Help's Innovation division that prototypes ideas fast.
- They vet concepts quickly and graduate winners to platform teams.
Back-Office Focus For Property Managers
- APM Help automates bookkeeping, trust compliance, and bank reconciliations.
- Their platform lets a services team manage thousands of tenants cost-effectively.
AI Boosts Speed But Risks Skill Loss
- Robert Welch warns AI increases output but can erode engineers' problem-solving.
- He calls it the 'Great Erosion' and urges discipline to prevent atrophy.