387: Your API Documentation is Not For Developers Anymore

In the podcast, Arvid discusses a transformative experience regarding API documentation and how it must evolve in the current AI-driven environment. Traditionally, API docs were tailored for developers, assuming a certain level of technical knowledge. However, with the rise of non-technical users leveraging AI tools to create integrations, the documentation needed to be rethought. Arvid highlights that these new users do not always have a technical background but can use AI to build complex solutions. This marks a shift from exclusive developer accessibility to a broader audience that includes non-technical individuals who expect straightforward documentation that can also be interpreted by AI.

A key point made by Arvid is the need for API documentation to cater to both human and machine readers. This dual requirement means the docs must be easy enough for non-technical users to grasp while also providing the technical precision needed for AI systems to formulate effective code. This has not been a need in the past, but as the environment shifts, providers like Stripe are leading the way by enhancing their documentation to support AI interactivity, allowing users to quickly generate test code through AI.

Arvid emphasizes the need for software founders to adapt their approach to customer service due to the democratization of API integrations through AI. He observes that non-developers may not engage with an API through traditional channels anymore, but rather expect to use AI tools to assess the functionality of APIs independently. This shift opens new possibilities for businesses, enabling a wider audience to consider using APIs for their needs—ultimately impacting sales prospects if the documentation is well-crafted to facilitate initial explorations.

The podcast concludes with Arvid outlining practical steps for API providers to adapt to this new landscape. He suggests including more working examples in documentation, ensuring that users can easily understand how to make API calls and what responses to expect. Furthermore, he stresses the importance of clarifying basic concepts, assuming less technical knowledge on the part of users, and preparing to meet the demands of a broader range of stakeholders who are becoming interested in API functionalities.