The Chainsaw and the Axe: Why AI in Software Development is No Longer Optional

The Chainsaw and the Axe: Are You Still Polishing the Handle?

Every development team I work with has two types of developer right now: the ones polishing the axe and the ones ripping through forests with a chainsaw. The person paying for the tree to come down doesn’t care which tool you use.

March 27, 2026 · 8 min · 1590 words · Paul McIlreavy