When Code Becomes Abundant: Redefining Software Engineering Around Orchestration and Verification

TL;DR

This paper argues that software engineering should shift focus from code creation to human-centered intent articulation, architectural control, and verification due to AI automation and energy constraints, impacting research, education, and industry.

Contribution

It proposes a redefinition of software engineering emphasizing human discernment and verification over traditional code-centric approaches, addressing emerging technological and societal challenges.

Findings

Highlights the need for redefining SE around intent and verification.

Identifies accountability collapse as a key risk.

Suggests changes in research, education, and industry practices.

Abstract

Software Engineering (SE) faces simultaneous pressure from AI automation (reducing code production costs) and hardware-energy constraints (amplifying failure costs). We position that SE must redefine itself around human discernment-intent articulation, architectural control, and verification-rather than code construction. This shift introduces accountability collapse as a central risk and requires fundamental changes to research priorities, educational curricula, and industrial practices. We argue that Software Engineering, as traditionally defined around code construction and process management, is no longer sufficient. Instead, the discipline must be redefined around intent articulation, architectural control, and systematic verification. This redefinition shifts Software Engineering from a production-oriented field to one centered on human judgment under automation, with profound implications for research, practice, and education.