Why Small Software Businesses Can Still Survive in the Age of LLMs
By
Brandur Leach
The kind of bagel that ruins lesser bagels for you.
Summary
The article explores the viability of small software businesses in the age of AI and LLMs. The author, who left his previous company to build a side project into a sustainable business, addresses the concern that anything he builds could be instantly replicated by an LLM-generated internal tool. He argues that while LLMs have made software cheaper to build, they haven't made it free, and examines the new buy-vs-build calculus. The piece focuses on finding a pricing zone where small software businesses can still survive despite the lowered barriers to software creation.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledAre you crazy?! Anything you ship can be instantly displaced by an internal package built by an LLM!
LLMs made software cheaper to build, but not free.
I acknowledge that it's a very fair question. Indeed I might be crazy, but I'll talk through my thought process, and you can decide.
You might also wanna read
Why Average LLM Use Is Likely Destroying Value in Software Development
The author argues that, contrary to prevailing hype, the average use of Large Language Models (LLMs) is likely destroying value rather than
unessays.substack.com·10d ago
How LLM-Assisted Coding Influences Microservices Architecture Adoption
The article discusses how LLM-assisted coding may be contributing to increased adoption of microservices architecture in software developmen
ben.page·2mo ago
Critical Perspective on LLM Implementation: Learning from Past Technology Cycles
The article critiques the current AI hype cycle, arguing that the focus on building ChatGPT-like bots and simple API integrations misses the
jampa.dev·7mo ago
Reflections on LLMs and Their Impact on Software Development Practices
The author shares personal reflections on the current state of Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI in software development, questioning whet
Comparing Code-Driven and LLM-Driven Workflows for Internal Agent Development
The article discusses the author's experience building internal agents and compares code-driven versus LLM-driven workflows. While initially
The Transformation of Software Engineering: From Craftsmanship to AI-Driven Mass Production
The article reflects on the profound transformation in software engineering due to AI and large language models, lamenting the shift from cr
btao.org·3mo ago