The article predicts the decline of low-code platforms, declaring their era from 2014 to 2025 as potentially over. The primary driver is the advent of AI coding tools. These tools make it more efficient and cost-effective to build software in-house, challenging the core value proposition of low-code solutions, which traditionally offered easier development for non-technical users.

Low-code platforms aimed to empower non-developers, but AI coding now offers similar benefits to developers. The author's experience at Cloud Capital illustrates this shift, as they moved away from Retool, a low-code platform. They found that AI-powered tools enabled faster development, improved UI quality, and reduced the complexity associated with external platforms.

This transition highlights a crucial change in the software development ROI. While low-code platforms are still growing, the cost of shipping code with AI approaches zero. Incumbent low-code tools like Retool are adapting, but the article suggests they might cede market share to core AI players. The trend toward in-house tooling is becoming more attractive.

Ultimately, the shift is driven by a simple build vs. buy decision. The author found that AI-powered tools offered meaningful cost savings and velocity gains, alongside an improved developer experience. This transition underscores the evolving software development landscape, where AI is reshaping established practices and tools. The future favors those who embrace AI-driven development.