Summary of Key Points
This article illustrates how AI is significantly lowering the barriers to software development through several real-life examples (an 8-year-old creating an operating system, non-professionals developing highly successful apps), as well as the evolution of software programming technologies. It emphasizes that ordinary people can quickly create the software they need without having to understand professional programming skills—simply by having ideas. AI has also ushered in a new era for "application software," where niche demands that were previously ignored can now be swiftly met.
#### 1. AI Shatters the Programmer Monopoly: Can an 8-Year-Old Create an Operating System?
In the past, software development was a skill exclusive to programmers. However, this is no longer the case. The article mentions an 8-year-old second-grade student who, without any prior programming knowledge or using complex tools, drew the layout of an operating system on paper during kindergarten and then used an AI tool (like "Baidu Secoda") to transform his ideas into a usable children's operating system with a startup screen, an AI-powered pet, and an installation process.
Other examples include the "Did He Die?" app and the "SBTI" personality assessment tool, both of which were created by non-programmers in a short period. This demonstrates how AI has removed the barrier of writing code; as long as you have an idea (for example, creating a assessment tool or a small app), AI can help turn it into a real product, regardless of your background (whether you're a liberal arts student or a primary school student).
#### 2. How Have the Barriers to Programming Gradually Been Lowered?
The methods of software programming (professionally known as "programming paradigms") have continuously evolved, making them more accessible to ordinary people:
- Early on: Machine language, which consisted solely of 0s and 1s and required the use of punched tape for input; only a few engineers could work with it.
- Later: Assembly language, which used simple symbols like "MOV" and "ADD" to replace binary codes, lowering the barrier slightly but still requiring an understanding of computer hardware logic.
- Further on: High-level languages like C, Java, and Python, which allowed developers to focus on tasks like "calculate the sum of two numbers" or "display a button" without worrying about how the computer worked underneath, leading to the proliferation of software (e.g., mobile apps).
- Today: AI programming involves two steps: first, code completion tools (such as GitHub Copilot) that help programmers write less code; then, interactive coding environments (like Cursor), where users describe their needs in plain language and AI generates the code for them to review and modify.
Today's AI programming has reached a stage where users simply state their ideas, and AI handles the implementation, making the barrier almost non-existent.
#### 3. Creating an Assessment Tool in 5 Minutes? AI Turns Ideas into Apps Quickly
The article provides an example of the author wanting to create an "LDTI" personality assessment tool similar to MBTI. By providing a few prompts to AI ("Create an online assessment based on MBTI principles that generates interesting results after users fill out a questionnaire, along with shareable images and links"), AI quickly generated the tool.
This is similar to ordering food from a restaurant—you specify your request (e.g., "I want a spicy tomato and egg rice bowl"), and the restaurant prepares it for you. In this case, AI acts as the "chef," turning your idea into a functional app in just 5 minutes without any need for coding.
#### 4. The Era of "Daily-Disposable Software" Has Arrived: AI Makes Apps Like Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
DingTalk founder Chen Hang mentioned that software has entered an era of being used once and then discarded. However, this doesn't apply to all software; it depends on its purpose. Software can be categorized into four layers:
- System software (e.g., Windows, iOS) is stable and rarely changes over decades.
- Databases (e.g., MySQL) also have stable core logic.
- Middleware connects the underlying systems with the user-facing applications.
- Application software (e.g., apps on smartphones or assessment tools) directly addresses specific user needs.
In the past, developing application software was costly, so companies focused on core functions (e.g., e-commerce apps). Niche demands (e.g., internal employee surveys) were often neglected. Now, AI has reduced development costs to nearly zero, enabling the creation of these "long-tail" applications—tools for temporary events or class assignments that can be created and discarded quickly.
In the future, as long as you have an idea, AI will help you turn it into a real app immediately. This represents the most significant change that AI brings to the software industry.
Conclusion
AI doesn't replace programmers; rather, it gives everyone the power to create software. Whether you're a professional or not, with creativity, you can use AI to quickly bring your ideas to life. The result will be small, flexible apps that are more like fast-moving consumer goods—created and discarded as needed. This is the new way of developing software in the AI era.