That was true when implementation was expensive. Now that implementation is cheap, doing it in bulk is the best way to maximize AI usage, and that means fewer engineers doing more of the technical work.

> unless AI is directed at finding the right problems to solve

This direction can be done by non-engineers with AI to consult (replacing that part of human engineer's role).

My guess is in the end we’ll find the approach that works depends more on the personalities of the people involved as opposed to one approach being strictly better.