# When Code Becomes Abundant: Redefining Software Engineering Around Orchestration and Verification

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.04830 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.04830/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 4 Feb 2026.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Code Broker: A Multi-Agent System for Automated Code Quality Assessment](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.23088/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Software Engineering (SE) faces simultaneous pressure from AI automation (reducing code production costs) and hardware-energy constraints (amplifying failure costs). We position that SE must redefine itself around human discernment-intent articulation, architectural control, and verification-rather than code construction. This shift introduces accountability collapse as a central risk and requires fundamental changes to research priorities, educational curricula, and industrial practices. We argue that Software Engineering, as traditionally defined around code construction and process management, is no longer sufficient. Instead, the discipline must be redefined around intent articulation, architectural control, and systematic verification. This redefinition shifts Software Engineering from a production-oriented field to one centered on human judgment under automation, with profound implications for research, practice, and education.