To me this is similar to the web dev vs native debate:

IF your users would receive 10x value from that 20% native performance than it is well worth it.

Sometimes even 1% better makes an enormous difference on the market.

However, while the web-native tradeoff is pretty clear, I am sceptic towards how far this particular direction we have today in AI can get. Perhaps a different paradigm.

My guess is, we are not replacing humans completely in programming until real AGI comes along but the need will shift to the non-standard stuff: Mainly creative challenges with far-reaching consequences like architectural or UX decisions.