Hi ,

Missed our session at Devoxx Belgium? Watch the complete presentation here: https://youtu.be/Jo5mOBRr2b4

After 25 years in software development, I've survived countless "developer extinction" predictions. But AI feels different. When an AI gave me a perfect Java 21 solution that would have destroyed our architecture, I realized something crucial: Our value was never in the typing - it was in the thinking, the context, and the choosing.

My wife Elma, an occupational therapist, helped me see that developers are experiencing what her patients go through after major life disruptions - a complete professional identity crisis. But here's the liberating truth: Technology doesn't replace professionals who adapt. It replaces those who resist.

The developers who thrive won't be the ones trying to type faster than AI. They'll be the ones who understand that experience makes our thinking, empathy, and wisdom stronger - not weaker.

AI hasn't diminished our value. By handling the routine, it's freed us to focus on what actually matters: understanding the why, building maintainable systems, and helping others grow.

Your professional identity isn't being destroyed. It's being refactored. And you get to choose the design pattern.

Stop waiting to feel ready. Your adaptation journey starts now:

1. Have one honest conversation with a colleague about how AI makes you feel about your work - not just the tools, but the emotions.
2. Try one AI tool for 30 minutes on something you'd normally do manually. Document what worked and what didn't.
3. Connect with someone to discuss: "Who do I want to be as a developer in this AI-transformed world?"

Remember: You'll cycle through disruption, discrepancy, and construction repeatedly. Each time, you'll get better at choosing your response.

Best regards,

Markus