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So where are all the AI apps? (answer.ai)

452 points by tanelpoder · 160 days ago · 420 comments on HN

Article summary

The article examines the impact of AI on software development, specifically looking at the Python Package Index (PyPI) for evidence of increased productivity. While there is no significant increase in overall package creation or updates, popular AI-related packages show a substantial increase in update frequency. The article suggests that the main effect of AI is a concentrated burst in the updating of AI-related packages, rather than a broad increase in software development productivity. The data does not support the idea that AI is massively boosting developer productivity across the board.

Main themes

  • AI productivity
  • Software development
  • Package creation and updates
  • AI-related packages
  • Game development
  • Personal applications
  • Cost and accessibility

What commenters say

  • AI-assisted coding has lowered the barrier for creating personal, single-use applications, making it feasible to build apps for niche purposes.
  • The quality of AI-generated games is generally poor, and game development is not an area where AI can excel.
  • High-quality assets are not the sole determinant of a fun game, but they can greatly enhance the gaming experience.
  • The cost of using AI-powered tools, such as those from Anthropic and OpenAI, may be a limiting factor for widespread adoption, with some arguing that the benefits are worth the cost, while others believe it is not.
  • Local models running on powerful GPUs may be a future alternative to cloud-based AI services, reducing the need for monthly subscriptions.
  • AI can be useful for automating mundane tasks, such as data processing, and can be a valuable tool for developers, even if it is not suitable for all tasks.
  • The shift towards AI-native development may lead to a change in the way code editors and IDEs are designed, with a greater emphasis on higher-level controls and less on manual coding.
  • The ability to create personalized, single-use applications can be a powerful tool for education and learning, even if the resulting apps are not widely useful.