🔗 APIs are 100x more important than five years ago, and still uncool

APIs might be boring topics for casual conversation, but their significance has skyrocketed. Kin Lane reveals that APIs are now about a hundred times more crucial than they were five years ago, even as their visibility diminishes. While AI grabs the spotlight, it relies heavily on APIs for functionality, creating a paradox where APIs remain essential yet overlooked.

The shift is not just in importance but in audience too. APIs, once tailored for developers, are now increasingly designed for automated agents without human patience or context. This change demands more precise documentation and clearer structures, removing the leeway humans once had. Lane argues that while the industry may overlook APIs, their foundational role will only grow, making those who invest in their infrastructure the real winners in the future.