Why AI hasn't replaced software engineers, and won't

Despite rapid AI adoption in software engineering, evidence suggests AI has not caused mass layoffs in the profession and is unlikely to do so. High-profile layoffs at companies like Block, Snap, and Intuit were driven by financial pressures and restructuring rather than AI replacing workers, with executives often using AI as a convenient narrative to explain workforce reductions. AI capabilities have compressed only the "execute" layer of software development while leaving decision-making and delivery phases resistant to automation, suggesting jobs will persist even as AI tools become more advanced.