We are in the middle of a quiet revolution in software development, with the distinction between user and developer gradually blurring. At the centre of this transition are two connected concepts: rapid engineering and the rise of personal software. Together, they foreshadow a future in which software development is no longer confined to coders but is accessible to everyone who can interact properly with an AI.

Prompt engineering is the practice of designing and refining inputs to produce the desired results from AI models to elicit desired or optimal outputs. Good prompt engineers understand not just how AI works, but also how to express purpose. This is a talent that combines design, psychology, and narrative, rather than just programming.

Moreover, prompt engineering is becoming the new interface layer between humans and machines. It allows you to discuss issues and solutions instead of having to write code. Tools like GPT-4 and other foundation models have translated text into a programming language that is far more accessible to the general public.

Therefore, this new power lays the groundwork for a more profound transformation: the rise of personal software. Personal software refers to apps or workflows that are developed specifically for you, rather than for the general user. Historically, developing such tools required technical knowledge, time, experience and resources. However, with the development of AI and prompt engineering, we are beginning to envisage a world in which users build software by merely specifying their requirements and ideas.

In this scenario, AI becomes a co-creator. Instead of adopting inflexible technologies, we may create adaptable systems that reflect the way we think, work, and organise. Want a daily planner that adjusts to your energy? A reading tracker that fits your learning objectives? With the correct prompts, they aren't features you wait for; they're workflows you can build. Rather than relying on monolithic programs, we can expect lightweight, AI-powered experiences tailored to each user. Thus, prompt engineering is the talent that facilitates this change, serving as the link between intention and implementation. 

And hence, when anybody can shape their digital tools using natural language, the power of software is no longer limited to developers. It belongs to creators and thinkers who are prepared to play with language and logic.

Furthermore, of course, difficulties remain, but the path is clear: we are heading towards a world in which the finest developers may not code at all. They could simply know how to ask the appropriate questions and direct the machine to valuable responses.

And therefore, software development becomes dynamic and profoundly human.