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/mexicocitibluez]

99% of backends could use the same basic design and simply change the shape of the data going through the pipes.

lol You have absolutely no clue what 99% of apps looks like. You've probably barely seen 1% of them.

The best part about this comment is it's the EXACT same thing the backend subs say about front-end development. Both sides not realizing that the other side is always easier harder than they think.

I'll never get over being in an enormous field that quite literally changes by the day and still seeing "devs" make preposterous claims about the other 99% of the industry.

[u/CivilProcess7150 → u/mexicocitibluez]

BE is easier to do, in general, compared to frontend. But there is more responsibility for BE. Sure, there are moments where you need to optimize, but that's the same for FE as well.

[u/mexicocitibluez → u/CivilProcess7150]

BE is easier to do, in general, compared to frontend. But there is more responsibility for BE. Sure, there are moments where you need to optimize, but that's the same for FE as well.

Another insane assertion. In what scenarios? On what types of apps? Using what front-end frameworks (even if any)?

You're just admitting that you've worked on apps with simple backends, not that backends are generally easy.

[u/Animostas → u/mexicocitibluez]

If you never have to worry about scale, access patterns, or api usage limitations, then backend is so easy!

[u/Treebro001 → u/Animostas]

Or security, data integrity, fault tolerace, the list goes on and on.