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The "tools" in this context are literally a few hundred lines of Python or Github CI build pipeline, we're not talking about 500kLOC massive applications.

I'm building tools, not complete factories :) The AI builds me a better hammer specifically for the nails I'm nailing 90% of the time. Even if the AI goes away, I still know how the custom hammer works.

I thought that initially, but I don't think the skills AI weakens in me are particularly valuable

Let's say AI becomes too expensive - I more or less only have to sharpen up being able to write the language. My active recall of the syntax, common methods and libraries. That's not hard or much of a setback

Maybe this would be a problem if you're purely vibe coding, but I haven't seen that work long term

Open source models hosted by independent providers (or even yourself, which if the bubble pops will be affordable if you manage to pick up hardware on fire sales) are already good enough to explain most code.