The problem is that everyone is having that idea at the same time! Posts on /r/embedded asking a related question keep being shut down because there are so many web developers now asking daily how they can get into embedded systems because of a perceived lack of LLM penetration.

No such thing! Companies that aren't already actively using AI for embedded development are looking closely at it and experimenting with procedures to incorporate into their workflow. Why anyone would think that a company would ignore a potential improvement to their bottom line is beyond me.

Yeah, it might take a while, but it will happen faster than you think.

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foldr 4 days ago | parent [-]

Indeed. GPT 5.4 was perfectly happy to help me write some 8051 assembly and integrate it into a weird vendor-specific Eclipse/Keil C51 build system. I would never have had the time or patience to figure it out. Embedded isn’t ready for full vibe coding to the extent that web development is, but it’s certainly not going to be an escape from AI.

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VorpalWay 4 days ago | parent [-]

The issue with AI isn't that it can't write embedded code (though it is noticeably worse at it), the issue is specifically with the safety certification of code the AI produced. There is a lot of paper trail to show that you followed all relevant standards, a lot of which pertains to your development process.

It is not just what you do or don't do in the code (e.g. MISRA or CERT C) but there is also a lot about how you test, review, show that your tests cover everything relevant (not just code coverage, but also specification coverage), show how you check that everyone involved followed the process, etc.

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Obscurity4340 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

Cant they just implement all the papertrail-generating and checkbox-checking and ass-covering into its instructions or harness?

	▲	ehnto 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		The AI can't be held liable so it somewhat defeats the purpose of that kind of paper trail and compliance work. If the threat was losing your livelihood and possibly jail time, would you currently be comfortable being held responsible for AI output?

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foldr 4 days ago | parent | prev [-]

There's plenty of embedded code in consumer products that doesn't need to meet any special standards like MISRA.

	▲	VorpalWay 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		Well sure, but that isn't what my original comment that you were replying downthread of said. I specifically recommended safety critical embedded. :)