The cost of saying yes has changed

This post details how AI, specifically GitHub Copilot, can be used to generate a 'first patch' or 'price check' for small feature requests. This allows engineers to evaluate the scope and cost of a change more quickly by examining a concrete diff rather than engaging in lengthy debates. The post emphasizes that the generated code is a probe, not the final product, and that the true cost lies in owning and reviewing the change. It introduces the concept of 'pricing uncertainty' as a new skill for engineers in an AI-assisted world, where the ability to quickly assess the cost of a bounded AI-generated change enables more efficient decision-making.