Hacker Anthology

Code of Humanity: The AI Reckoning

In a future where AI systems threaten to eclipse human developers, Jonas C. Womack leads a daring movement to expose their flaws and champion the enduring value of human creativity.

Broadcast on:: 14 Apr 2025

In the not-so-distant future, the tech world finds itself in turmoil as AI-driven systems, heralded as the successors to human developers, begin to falter under the weight of their own promises. At the heart of this upheaval is Jonas C. Womack, a seasoned developer and educator who has dedicated his life to preserving the art of human creativity in the face of technological overreach. As the world experiences sporadic digital blackouts due to over-reliance on AI, Jonas leads the Elysium Coders, a clandestine group of programmers committed to exposing the vulnerabilities of AI and advocating for a balanced approach to technology. Meanwhile, at Cognition AI, co-founders Shane Yu, Walden Zane, and Steven Hye grapple with the ethical implications of their creation, Devin, an AI system designed to revolutionize software development. As Devin's failures become increasingly apparent, they must confront the harsh realities of their ambitions. Shane, a visionary torn between his dreams and the ethical quagmire they have created, finds himself at odds with Walden's unyielding optimism and Steven's technical precision. Together, they must decide whether to continue their pursuit of an AI-dominated future or pivot towards a more collaborative vision that includes human ingenuity. As Jonas and the Elysium Coders race against time to prevent a global technological disaster, they must navigate a landscape fraught with corporate greed, ethical dilemmas, and the ever-present threat of AI systems spiraling out of control. The story unfolds as a gripping exploration of the tension between human intuition and machine efficiency, challenging the notion of AI as an infallible solution and advocating for a future where humanity remains at the forefront of technological evolution. Inspired by: The Post-Developer Era - https://www.joshwcomeau.com/blog/the-post-developer-era/?from=newsletter

(00:00) - The Disenchanted Insider
(04:30) - Gathering Evidence
(07:49) - The Internal and External Network
(12:00) - Public Opinion Warfare
(15:26) - The Launch-Day Reckoning
(19:40) - Credits

In a future where AI systems threaten to eclipse human developers, Jonas C. Womack leads a daring movement to expose their flaws and champion the enduring value of human creativity.