Roots in the Machine

This article reflects on the varied responses to AI in software development, framing adoption as a root system that grows unevenly across organizations. It contrasts AI-avoidant developers, who value understanding and transparency, with companies that integrate AI throughout their tech stack. The author discusses how AI becomes entangled with workflows, from autocomplete to production operations, and questions how deep these roots should grow. The piece touches on the tension between viewing AI as a binary choice versus a spectrum of integration depths, and considers the implications for developer behavior and industry culture.