AI Changes the Economics of Software Rewrites

AI changes the economics of software rewrites

My view on software rewrites has shifted because AI thrives on clear, consistent code patterns found in popular stacks. Proprietary or inconsistent systems force models to spend tokens inferring rules, increasing costs and lowering quality. Rewriting code isn't just about modernizing technology; it is a strategic move to rebuild around patterns that maximize AI leverage, turning potential inefficiency into a competitive advantage.

"You could either be using AI to solve the problem, or you could spend the time trying to get AI to learn your language first."