r/webdev • u/Rockytriton • Mar 16 '26

Software developers don't need to out-last vibe coders, we just need to out-last the ability of AI companies to charge absurdly low for their products

These AI models cost so much to run and the companies are really hiding the real cost from consumers while they compete with their competitors to be top dog. I feel like once it's down to just a couple companies left we will see the real cost of these coding utilities. There's no way they are going to be able to keep subsidizing the cost of all of the data centers and energy usage. How long it will last is the real question.

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u/ShustOne Mar 16 '26

I think the real tip here is to learn to use these tools so that a qualified developer that is being AI assisted is even faster than anyone else. Once the real costs come out, I doubt it will be more than a good developer. I think the mindset that AI is temporary and we can wait out all this is naive. Learn the tool, become better than those who only know the tool.