New research from Pave indicates that artificial intelligence is not currently replacing software engineers. Overall hiring for these roles has remained steady since late 2023, with companies projected to hire 9% more software engineers in 2025 than in 2024. However, the data shows a shift towards prioritizing experienced engineers over entry-level talent, with the average age of engineers rising.
While AI's impact on employment is debated, some older workers are choosing early retirement rather than adapting to the technology, a decision for those who have experienced previous tech shifts. In Hollywood, Ben Affleck believes AI has limits in creating true art, stating it can imitate but not replicate human creativity or nuanced judgment, though he acknowledges its potential for visual effects and fixing mistakes.
Across industries, AI is finding diverse applications. Perfect Corp sees agentic AI as the next frontier for the beauty industry, moving beyond generative AI to understand and act on customer data through personalized AI agents. Delta CEO Ed Bastian believes AI's greatest opportunity in aviation lies in improving air traffic control, making travel quicker and more efficient, and enhancing weather prediction.
In healthcare, the American Journal of Gastroenterology released a special issue on AI's clinical applications in GI and Hepatology, exploring its promise and ethical considerations. Meanwhile, entrepreneur Brett Adcock launched Hark, a new AI lab focused on personal intelligence systems with custom hardware. Hark secured $100 million in funding and a partnership with Nvidia, planning to release AI models in summer 2026.
San Francisco remains a hub for AI innovation, with OpenAI and Anthropic leading in office space. Other major players like Sierra AI, Scale AI, and Harvey AI also hold substantial leases, alongside Google's significant AI operations. Additionally, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) launched an 8-week Growth Engineer Fellowship to help AI-native leaders leverage AI for hyper-personalization and rapid adaptation.
Key Takeaways
- AI is not currently replacing software engineers; hiring is stable with a projected 9% increase in 2025, but demand favors experienced talent.
- Some older workers are choosing early retirement rather than adapting to the rise of artificial intelligence.
- Ben Affleck believes AI has limitations in creating true art and nuanced judgment in filmmaking, though it can assist with visual effects.
- Perfect Corp identifies agentic AI as the future for the beauty industry, focusing on personalized AI agents trained on specific brand data.
- Delta CEO Ed Bastian sees AI's biggest aviation impact in improving air traffic control, making travel quicker and more efficient.
- The American Journal of Gastroenterology published a special issue on AI's clinical applications in GI and Hepatology, noting patient concerns about reliability and data privacy.
- Brett Adcock launched Hark, an AI lab creating personal intelligence systems with custom hardware, securing $100 million in funding and a partnership with Nvidia.
- OpenAI and Anthropic lead in office space among San Francisco's AI companies, with Scale AI and Google also maintaining significant presences.
- Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) introduced an 8-week Growth Engineer Fellowship for AI-native leaders to leverage AI for company growth.
- A trend towards smaller AI models running on personal computers is emerging for enhanced privacy and efficiency, particularly in the beauty sector.
AI won't replace software engineers yet, study shows
New research from Pave indicates that artificial intelligence is not currently replacing software engineers. Overall hiring for these roles has remained steady since late 2023, with companies hiring 9% more software engineers in 2025 than in 2024. However, the data shows a shift, with companies increasingly prioritizing experienced engineers over entry-level talent. The average age of engineers is also rising, suggesting a growing bias towards senior professionals in the field.
AI not replacing software engineers, new data suggests
Contrary to some predictions, artificial intelligence is not currently replacing software engineers. Data shows that hiring for these roles has remained stable, indicating resilience in the job market. While AI adoption is increasing, companies appear to be focusing on hiring more experienced engineers rather than entry-level ones. This trend suggests a shift in demand towards senior talent within the software engineering field.
a16z launches 8-week Growth Engineer Fellowship
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has launched the a16z Growth Engineer Fellowship, an 8-week program for AI-native leaders focused on company growth. The program aims to help participants navigate the complex growth landscape by leveraging AI for hyper-personalization and rapid adaptation. It offers a space for peer-to-peer learning and access to the a16z ecosystem. Applications are open on a rolling basis, with a deadline of April 20th for initial consideration, and the fellowship begins in May 2026.
Older workers retire as AI emerges
Some older workers are choosing to retire rather than adapt to the rise of artificial intelligence. These individuals have experienced previous technology shifts like desktop publishing and the internet. However, the arrival of AI has prompted some, like 68-year-old content strategist Luke Michel, to accept early retirement offers. This marks a significant decision for some experienced professionals facing a new technological era.
Agentic AI is the future of beauty industry, says Perfect Corp
Perfect Corp believes agentic AI is the next frontier for the beauty industry, moving beyond generative AI. President and chief growth officer Wayne Liu explained that agentic AI is crucial for understanding customer data and acting upon it. He emphasized the need for personalized AI agents trained on specific brand data to act as beauty advisors. Liu also noted a trend towards smaller AI models running on personal computers for privacy and efficiency.
Delta CEO: AI's biggest aviation impact is air traffic control
Delta CEO Ed Bastian believes artificial intelligence's greatest opportunity in aviation lies in improving air traffic control, not in-flight experiences. He stated that AI could make travel quicker and more efficient by addressing current system challenges. Bastian also mentioned AI's potential for better weather prediction and airflow analysis. Delta is already using AI for its Delta Concierge digital assistant and is exploring its use in operations.
AI in Gastroenterology Special Issue Published
The American Journal of Gastroenterology has released a special issue on AI clinical applications in GI and Hepatology. It explores AI's challenges, promise, and ethical considerations in the field. Studies in the issue cover a new magnetic flexible endoscope, the effectiveness of AI in detecting adenomas during colonoscopies, and using AI to identify signs of hepatic encephalopathy. A patient survey revealed moderate trust in AI, with concerns about reliability and data privacy.
Ben Affleck discusses AI's limits in Hollywood
Ben Affleck believes artificial intelligence has limitations in creating true art, stating that while AI can imitate, it cannot replicate human creativity like Shakespeare. He notes that AI struggles with the nuanced judgment and taste required in filmmaking. Affleck acknowledges AI's potential to improve visual effects and fix mistakes but doesn't see it replacing human artists. He also suggests that the widespread fear of AI disrupting employment may be exaggerated.
Brett Adcock launches Hark AI hardware company
Entrepreneur Brett Adcock has launched Hark, a new AI lab focused on creating personal intelligence systems with custom hardware. Hark combines in-house AI models with devices designed to anticipate user needs, featuring multimodal capabilities in speech, text, and vision. The company has secured $100 million in funding and a partnership with Nvidia. Hark plans to release AI models in summer 2026, followed by hardware, aiming to lead the personal AI platform trend.
San Francisco's top AI companies ranked by office space
A new ranking reveals San Francisco's largest AI companies based on their office space, highlighting the significant growth in the sector. OpenAI and Anthropic lead in real estate footprint, with OpenAI expanding into multiple locations. Other major players include Sierra AI, Scale AI, and Harvey AI, which have also secured substantial office leases. The list also includes big tech companies like Google with significant AI operations in the city.
Sources
- Artificial intelligence isn’t replacing the software engineer (yet)
- Artificial intelligence isn’t replacing the software engineer (yet)
- a16z Launches Growth Engineer Program
- The Workers Opting to Retire Instead of Taking on AI
- Agentic AI Powers Perfect Corp Vision for the Future of Beauty
- Delta’s CEO says AI’s biggest opportunity in aviation isn’t inside the plane—it’s air traffic control
- Artificial Intelligence in Gastroenterology and Hepatology in The American Journal of Gastroenterology Special Issue
- Ben Affleck on the limits of AI in Hollywood
- Personal AI Hardware Platforms : hark by brett adcock
- Behemoths of the boom: Ranking SF’s biggest AI companies by office size
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