What AI Can't Accelerate

The way we build software is changing faster than ever.

Things that once required hours of research, iteration, or setup can now happen in minutes. AI is changing the relationship between ideas and execution.

That's exciting.

But the faster our tools become, the more I've started appreciating the things that cannot be rushed.

After finishing our section of the Pacific Crest Trail, my friend and I celebrated at the end of the trail with a couple of drinks.

Just a small moment to recognize where we had been and enjoy the transition from dusty shoes to a comfortable seat.

The trail reminded me that progress does not always need to be optimized.

Some of the best moments came from moving slowly: conversations between miles, unexpected views, and details that would have been easy to miss if we were focused only on reaching the destination.

That idea has stuck with me while thinking about AI.

As our tools become better at handling the mechanical parts of creating, our role shifts toward the things that require judgment.

Understanding people.

Developing taste.

Asking better questions.

Knowing what is worth building.

AI can shorten the distance between an idea and its implementation. It cannot replace the experiences that shape our perspective.

Whether it is a trail, a product, or anything else we create, the best outcomes rarely come from moving the fastest.

They come from paying attention.

Sometimes the long way around is where you find the things worth bringing back.