When Anyone Can Build Software, What's the Point of Being an Indie Developer?

Source: Dev.to

The Existential Question

With AI, anyone can build apps now. This leads to uncomfortable questions:

• “Does the world really need MY version of this?”
• “Hasn’t someone already built this?”
• “What’s the point if AI can just rebuild it for anyone?”

The Trap of “Complete Originality”

Truly novel ideas are rare. Most fall into: technically impossible, no real demand, or legally risky.

Complete differentiation is nearly impossible. And that’s OK.

Why It Still Matters

Different perspectives create different products

Two developers building “the same thing” will make meaningfully different products.

Iteration beats innovation

Google wasn’t the first search engine. iPhone wasn’t the first smartphone.

AI amplifies humans, it doesn’t replace them

AI can code, but it can’t decide what to build or who to build for.

The Real Answer

The point of indie development in the AI age isn’t originality — it’s specificity.

Build for a specific person, solve a specific problem, and deliver a specific experience.

🔗 S‑Hub

Do you struggle with the “someone already built this” feeling?