Software engineers build identity “software factories” to govern AI automation

The author argues that as AI automates software engineering tasks and threatens traditional professional expertise, engineers are responding by building "software factories" to control orchestration, infrastructure, and governance. This shift mirrors historical industrialization where skilled craftspeople moved from making things to designing the systems that make things. However, the author cautions that these emerging factories risk reinforcing existing professional silos rather than fostering cross-functional product development. Open article →