How is AI changing the demand for software engineers despite making coding more accessible?

AI is creating a paradoxical effect in the software engineering field. While AI tools are lowering the barrier to entry for coding and making software development cheaper and faster, this accessibility is actually increasing the demand for software engineers rather than reducing it. The reduced cost and complexity of software development means more companies and individuals can afford to create applications, even for niche or experimental purposes. This surge in software creation leads to expanded use cases across multiple industries, requiring more sophisticated oversight and management. Consequently, software engineers are evolving into supervisory roles where they debug AI-generated code, ensure its accuracy and functionality, and manage the growing complexity of software systems. Rather than replacing engineers, AI is transforming their responsibilities toward quality assurance and system oversight.