AI was once considered a solution to reduce tech debt, but it has actually increased costs for companies with messy legacy codebases. Generative AI tools like Cursor or Aider can dramatically speed up coding in clean environments, but struggle in complex, legacy code. The key is for human experts to refactor code until AI tools can smoothly operate. By breaking systems into coherent modules, organizations can unblock AI tools and achieve rapid feature development. Ultimately, investing in high-quality, modular architecture is crucial for leveraging AI tools effectively and building better software.
https://www.gauge.sh/blog/ai-makes-tech-debt-more-expensive