Yep, we have a new tool and it's making us more productive when we learn how to use it properly. The malloc/GC example is a good analogy.

One thing to note: understanding memory management as a Java programmer makes you a better programmer. Having used malloc in bare metal mode helps you understand issues like memory leaks more clearly. It gives you a model of what is going on grounded in experience.

So that knowledge and experience of the old ways isn't useless. It's very useful and makes you a better developer. This is true of many advancements in tech, including AI.

Knowing how to build software without AI makes you a better developer when building with AI.