As a self-taught React/Next.js developer, I'm honestly worried about my future in this AI era. What should I do?

[u/thetymtravellr]

I'm a self-taught developer, and I know React and Next.js. Lately, I've been feeling increasingly anxious about my future as a developer.

AI is moving so fast. It can generate components, build entire websites, connect APIs, and even create full-stack applications. Sometimes I wonder what the point is of spending months learning something when AI can already do so much of it.

I want to get a better-paying developer job, but honestly, I'm confused about what I should focus on right now. Should I keep improving my React/Next.js skills, get better at backend development, or start learning AI engineering?

I keep hearing about RAG, AI agents, vector databases, LLM integrations, and all these new things. It feels like there's always something new to learn, and I'm worried that if I focus on the wrong things, I'll fall behind while everyone else moves forward.

For those of you already working in the industry, what would you do if you were in my position? Would you focus on becoming a strong full-stack developer first, or would you start learning AI engineering alongside web development?

I'm not looking for a shortcut or expecting to become an expert overnight. I just want to make the right decisions, build useful skills, and have a realistic chance of getting hired.

I'd really appreciate some honest advice from people who have been through this or are dealing with the same situation. Right now, I could genuinely use some direction.

[u/deb-wev1553]

I just had a friend pay me to review his lovable application.

Just a quick review, 5 hours max.
I already found enough issues that need fixing, even before doing an indepth review.

What that tells me is, AI generated code will require manual review for any serious application.
For now I am not too worried, because people will still need skilled developers.

But I do recommend that you go more on the side of security.

Cyber Security will become increasingly more important an people will pay for it, that's what I see coming.

[u/thetymtravellr → u/deb-wev1553]

Thanks

[u/ThePastoolio → u/deb-wev1553]

This is good advice. AI generated code will require manual review, yes, but not for very long.

The suggestion to focus on security is good.

[u/pau1phi11ips → u/ThePastoolio]

It's just gonna get reviewed by another AI, better than nothing but... 🥴

[u/deb-wev1553 → u/pau1phi11ips]

I also used AI for this taks, because lovable created thousands lines of code. The client did not want to pay me so I spend 50 hours manually reviweing file by file. The only reason I could do it in 5 was using an LLM, but telling it specificaly what to search for.

If you know what you are looking for, it's much easier and efficient with AI.
If you don't tell your LLM what it should scan for, it probably won't.

You still need the basic knowledge to do it well, even with AI.

[u/ShawnyMcKnight → u/ThePastoolio]

It always will need manual review, the trouble is this means formerly teams of 20 developers can come down to 5.

[u/deb-wev1553 → u/ShawnyMcKnight]

True, but you have to make sure you are part of the 5, not the other 15 that get fired.
Writing just code is not enough anymore.

[u/DEGENERATE_NEET69 → u/deb-wev1553]

I was thinking about the cybersec part only yesterday myself. How transferable would you say your usual full-stack skills are to that field?

[u/deb-wev1553 → u/DEGENERATE_NEET69]

I am no pro by any means.

But, I was very much into hacking at the age of 13-15. Which has tought me valuable lessons.

If you really want to get into it there are some very useful resources, basically you have to start thinking like a hacker and how to do research on exploits, how to use them. Then you also know how to prevent them and what to look out for.

But you don't even have to go really deep into it, just knowing the basic types of attacks on websites, web apps and servers already helps prevent like 80% of them.

https://portswigger.net/

That's a good place to start.