On .NET Live - AI offers benefits, but at what cost?
In this On .NET Live episode, dotnet hosts a discussion with Steve Ardalis Smith about the economics and trade-offs of AI/LLM-based, agentic software development and what it may mean for developer productivity and the future demand for software developers.
Overview
This episode focuses on the practical trade-offs of using AI (in 2026, largely meaning LLM-based tools) in software development.
Key themes:
- Developers are adopting LLM-based tools to improve productivity.
- Businesses are questioning whether they will need as many software developers in the near future.
- The conversation explores how the economics of agentic software development stack up today and how they may change over time.
Featuring
- Steve Ardalis Smith: https://bsky.app/profile/ardalis.com
Topics covered (as described)
- AI/LLM tools for developer productivity
- Agentic software development and its cost model
- How economic incentives might shift adoption
- Implications for the software developer role