#Practical Effects

CGI and LLMs: A Cautionary Analogy

fabiensanglard.net · ⭐️ 8/10 · 2026-07-12

8/10

The article draws a parallel between the film industry's shift to CGI and the software industry's adoption of LLMs, warning that over-reliance on LLMs could devalue core coding skills. This analogy highlights a potential long-term risk for software engineers: while LLMs boost productivity, they may erode fundamental skills and craftsmanship, much like CGI diminished practical effects artistry. The article notes that writing every line by hand is no longer the norm, but reading and understanding architecture remains crucial. It also mentions that tests are more important than ever since large refactors are common.