A similar thing could be said about traditional tech CEOs like Benioff - that it's part of their fiduciary duty to stakeholders to say things like that. I don't disagree with you; I'm merely saying it's the nature of the game, and that people are definitely claiming that there is an imminent (or even ongoing) firing of engineers.
The funny thing is, the AI that is so good that it can replace 90% of developers, can probably replace the vast majority of software shops as well. What I guess will happen eventually, is that at some point AI (not the current one) will replace “software” in many areas. Why have Stripe when AI manages the transactions. Why have Airbnb when AI can both manage and rent properties. Why have Shopify, and so on and so forth. Letting AI build your app will look silly. Why even have an app? IMO that’s when the real/massive displacement will happen.
I don’t think you should let them off the hook with this fiduciary duty idea. If anything, they should be aware of what their company’s concrete plans are for firing off 90% of their engineers. If they are saying something like that, and it doesn’t happen… they are lying. There’s no duty to lie to everyone (including shareholders) for… their own good? (Not that I see how it would be for their own good).
