In an era where AI agents can write software faster than we can, the quality that may ultimately distinguish us isn't our technical skill, but our creative taste.
February 2, 2026 (20d ago)
4 min read
AI can write code faster than you. But it can't teach you taste.
There's something happening in software development that nobody's talking about. As AI tools get better at writing code, something else is becoming more valuable: creative taste.
Not technical skill. Not years of experience. Taste.
I've noticed something interesting. The developers who stand out aren't always the ones who know the most frameworks. They're the ones who recognize what "good" feels like.
Taste isn't about following design trends. It's about recognizing the details that matter. The micro-interactions that make you pause. The small touches that show someone cared.
Think about the apps you love. Not the ones you use because you have to. The ones you actually enjoy using. What makes them different?
It's not the features. It's the care.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: AI can write code. It can debug. It can optimize. But it can't develop taste.
Taste comes from experience. From using great software. From noticing what works and what doesn't. From developing an eye for quality.
As AI handles more of the technical work, taste becomes the differentiator. It's what separates good developers from great ones.
Taste isn't something you're born with. It's something you develop. And here's the key: you develop it by using great software.
When you spend time with software that delights you, you subconsciously raise your standards. You start noticing details. You start expecting more.
But here's the problem: if you spend all day in clunky tools, you normalize their friction. You stop noticing what's wrong. You lower your standards.
This might sound obvious, but it's profound: the software you use shapes your sense of quality.
If you work in tools that frustrate you, you start accepting frustration as normal. If you work in tools that delight you, you start expecting delight.
This isn't about being picky. It's about training your eye. Just like a designer develops an eye for balance and composition, developers can develop an eye for great software.
Consider how Notion handles drag-and-drop. It's smooth. It's intuitive. It feels right. That's taste.
Consider how Linear animates task transitions. It's not just functional. It's delightful. That's taste.
These aren't just nice touches. They're signals. They communicate care. And when we experience software that communicates care, we learn what care looks like.
So how do you develop taste? It's simpler than you think:
Use great software. Intentionally. Notice what makes it great. Pay attention to the details.
Slow down. The next time you open an app, pause. Notice the small details. Ask yourself why it feels good—or why it doesn't.
Raise your standards. Don't accept friction as normal. Don't normalize bad UX. Expect more.
Build with care. When you're building, add those small touches. Show that you care. Your users will notice.
In a world where AI can write code, taste becomes your competitive advantage. It's what makes your work stand out. It's what makes users choose your product.
Startups are starting to realize this. They're looking for developers who don't just write code—they create experiences. They're looking for taste.
Great software teaches great taste. But only if you're paying attention.
The next time you use an app, slow down. Notice the details. Ask yourself why it feels good. Learn from it. Then apply that learning to your own work.
Taste isn't something you're born with. It's something you develop. And in the AI era, it might be the most valuable skill you can develop.
The developers who understand this will be the ones who thrive. Not because they know more frameworks, but because they recognize what "good" feels like.
And that recognition? That's taste. And it's more valuable than ever.
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