This is a nice theory, but is it true in practice? (At scale; I’m sure at least 10% of domain experts will find they enjoy writing software too)
Domain expertise has always been the real moat
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Re: Domain expertise has always been the real moat
#162Earlier quoted context omitted.
What would fill in the blank be? Because this was actually kind of a test for me to address the question of "does AI just amplify domain knowledge?" In this case, it seems it didn't.
For the purposes of chess the domain knowledge is the game rules. And from this pov there is really not much to describe, knowing en-passant exists is the peak of domain knowledge. The other things you describe, such as endgame tables, are really more related to the domain of chess-computing, a subdomain of algorithms, and likely something you exceed your friend's knowledge in. Getting to a high rank in chess isn't a…
I don't know how you can say application and experience isn't domain knowledge. If it isn't, I have no idea wtf we are talking about and I'll have to accuse you of moving goalposts.
Re: Domain expertise has always been the real moat
#163Earlier quoted context omitted.
I had never tried to make a chess bot before though, we both started at the same spot. There are obvious things you can search for to make one. We both had the same information there. The domain was chess, and his expertise didn't help him win. If you are a chef, shouldn't you be able to make better recipes with AI? If you are a fitness trainer, better routines? Etc? Or is AI only for programmers?
I've studied how pre-NNUE stockfish worked and the principles of static position evaluation are accessible to a 500 rated player. The rest is writing an efficient search algorithm, which is purely an endeavor in computer science, not chess playing. So your expertise in programming gave you the leg up here, and predictably your opponents experience in chess doesn't help. Your point only serves to bolster TFA's argumen…
You can say that about any domain. I'm done with this. What I'm hearing from people is that AI is only for programmers and is useless for everyone else. And it honestly seems to be that way.
Re: Domain expertise has always been the real moat
#164It was never about the code. After spending the last 5 years building software for venture capital and private equity, this blog post really resonates with me. Writing code is by and far the _easiest_ part of my job; understanding the financial engineering and nuance behind what my company's customers need from us the tough part. We always joke that we'd rather hire a senior fund accountants and teach them to program…
Am available.
Maybe we can grab a coffee.
Re: Domain expertise has always been the real moat
#165Re: Domain expertise has always been the real moat
#166Earlier quoted context omitted.
But a modern drill absolutely 100% removes the need for a brace and bit. An LLM doesn't replace any existing tools.
From what I've heard for many devs it replaced an IDE... I still use one myself, but I've a lot of people don't anymore.
Basically IDE free since May 2025. I actually reinstalled vscode when setting up a new machine and I think I've launched it twice?
cc -> local automated testing -> github -> PR -> heavy integration tests -> review (github ui, +/-) -> manual test locally -> merge -> deploy -> manual test remotely -> synthetic user testing -> repeat
Re: Domain expertise has always been the real moat
#167Earlier quoted context omitted.
Overall I agree with this, though I do think that there will be a trend to hoard/keep-secret domain knowledge by professions. Like plumbers will try and make it a trade-secret or protected intellectual property how to change a pipe fitting.
For basic residential plumbing work the moat is not knowledge. There are already books and YouTube videos that will teach you everything you need to know. Professional plumbers can't stop that. The real moat is that most people don't have time, don't want to buy tools, and don't want to get shit on their hands. For new construction and commercial work the moat is a contractor's license. They don't allow LLMs to take…
Yep. I can do basic plumbing, but I haven't touched it since I started making enough money to pay a plumber to do it for me. Plumbers are worth every dollar they charge if it means I don't have to spend two hours under a sink cursing at rusty bolts.
Re: Domain expertise has always been the real moat
#168How much pontificating needs to be done before people acknowledge nobody has any idea what to do with AI on an individual level? First being good developer and learning how to use AI was sufficient, next it was being able to design architecture, then it was “taste” that made all the difference and now being an expert in the domain is the only thing that matters really. Until AI is basically in a stable, predictable,…
An idea that's beginning to solidify for me is that AI tools make software development harder . It's harder because they dramatically raise the bar for what's possible to do. An individual developer can take on significantly more challenging projects now, because the ultimate constraint has always been time and AI can help you get more done in the time available. But the stuff you can get done with that time is a who…
developers now are expected to randomly jump around projects and ship without friction. For employers it means they can move us around like pawns. Lot of companies have not reorged themselves to this new type of workforce thats much more malleable.
it used to be that i pay your due at some enterpise and learn some corner of codebase really well and become go to person. that would give you job security.
Re: Domain expertise has always been the real moat
#169Re: Domain expertise has always been the real moat
#170The standard take, including my own from last year, is that these tools amplify senior developers because senior developers have judgment.
My take is much less charitable. I think a lot of senior devs are lonely and enjoy talking to chatbots all day. Saying it amplifies their productivity is a justification.