In a recent interview with the Hong Kong Economic Journal, Derek Ng, Founder of Parami AI, shared his thoughts on the growing use of ChatGPT in programming and business automation. As more companies turn to AI for various tasks, Derek provided valuable insights into how AI like ChatGPT can assist but also highlighted the limitations and potential risks involved.
Derek explained that [Company Name] has experimented with using ChatGPT to generate code, particularly to automate tasks such as social media posting for enterprise clients. However, he emphasized that the process is not as straightforward as it may seem. Defining the programming task clearly and providing effective prompts are crucial for ChatGPT to produce relevant code. Even then, the generated code requires careful review and adjustment by the team to ensure accuracy.
He pointed out a significant challenge: ChatGPT pulls code from existing online sources, many of which may be suboptimal or even faulty. "At this stage, ChatGPT lacks the ability to distinguish between good code and bad code," Derek noted. This underscores the importance of human oversight in using AI for programming.
While AI can save time, Derek likened using AI-generated code to hiring multiple freelancers unfamiliar with a company's operations to complete a project. The task might be completed, but the quality and coherence could suffer, potentially leading to higher maintenance costs in the long run. However, he acknowledged that AI can still provide valuable insights during the coding process, much like how GPS offers directions to a driver.
Looking ahead, Derek predicted that AI's ability to write complete code might significantly impact the software engineering profession. He speculated that in 15 to 20 years, the role of a software engineer as we know it could become obsolete. Instead, software architects would take on more strategic roles, focusing on high-level project planning and system development based on client needs. "Only humans can foresee and plan for the future growth of a system," Derek remarked, highlighting the irreplaceable human element in long-term planning.