KISS more important than ever

KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) is an old concept in software development that is gaining new meaning in the LLM era. Simple now means whatever LLMs can do on their own.

Simple is automated

LLMs can perform any task that is sufficiently simple. Not small. Not briefly described. Simple. That's the key requirement. LLMs will only perform tasks that are within limits of their capabilities.

Hard tasks are for humans

There are still many tasks that are too hard for LLMs. Capabilities keep increasing with new models, but it looks like there is a core of hard tasks that LLMs wouldn't be able to crack for some time. These hard tasks must be done by humans with next to zero automation.

Simple is productive

Hard tasks always existed, but they were diluted in a sea of easier tasks, so nobody noticed them. Now that simple tasks are delegated to LLMs, hard tasks fill workdays and determine project cost. If you can convert a hard task into a simple task, you can eliminate a line item from project cost. Our productivity now depends on our ability to keep things simple.

Your own Smurf army

LLMs are a bit like Smurfs. They are almost identical, plentiful, and somewhat dimwitted. You, the Papa Smurf, are only one. You can handle any task, but your time is expensive. The challenge is to find a way to break up your job into simple tasks that Smurfs can do with minimal oversight. The more tasks you can assign to Smurfs, the faster things will move.

How to keep things simple

I am still learning how to keep things simple. There are no easy rules. Keeping things simple is complicated. But let me give you a few tips:

• Let the LLM have its way.
• Allow it to be a bit sloppy where damage is minimal.
• Tasks should be broad and shallow.
• If it's struggling, split the task. Several simpler tasks are finished faster than one harder task.
• No matter what problem you are solving, the simplest solution is usually the best one.
• The first solution that comes to your mind is often the simplest one.
• If things get complicated, step back and think whether all that complexity is worth it. It usually isn't.
• LLMs can come up with ideas, so don't hesitate to ask for help.
• LLMs can study, summarize, and apply documentation, so you don't have to.

That's about everything I can think of at the moment. We will all have to learn this as we go.