With AI Is Next.js Relevant Anymore for Web Development

Next.js was built with static site generation (SSG) in mind, which is a technique that allows you to pre-build your website and serve static HTML files. However, with the rise of AI, this approach may become less relevant.

Next.js still excels at server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG), but it's worth considering whether these features are enough to justify the added complexity of using Next.js. As we'll explore later, Next.js has a steeper learning curve compared to other frameworks.

Next.js is still a popular choice for many web developers, particularly those who value its strong typing and code splitting features. However, it's essential to weigh these benefits against the potential drawbacks of using Next.js in an AI-driven development landscape.

For another approach, see: Nextjs 14 New Features

Next.js is still a relevant choice for building server-side rendered (SSR) and statically generated websites. Its performance benefits and SEO advantages make it a popular choice among developers.

According to the article, Next.js has a strong ecosystem with over 100,000 projects on GitHub, indicating its widespread adoption and community support.

While some may argue that Next.js is no longer necessary with the rise of Jamstack and static site generators, its ability to handle complex server-side logic and dynamic routing still makes it a valuable tool for certain projects.

Next.js has been gaining traction, with some even saying it's eating into React's territory.

In fact, the author of the article has expressed some unease about Meta owning React, feeling that the React team has become less collaborative since Vercel started hiring many of its members.

The confusion between Next.js and React is real, especially when it comes to server components and server actions features.

React recommends using a framework with React, and frameworks should pin to a canary version of React to take advantage of the latest stable features.

The author's experience suggests that a team not being collaborative is a bad sign for their software, which could be a point in favor of Next.js.

Next.js is reaping the benefits of closer collaboration with React, which might give it an edge over React itself.

A different take: Next Js Call Api on the Server Example

Next.js is facing concerns about becoming overly complex, with some users finding it too much to handle. This is partly due to the "too much magic" aspect, where features like server actions and the experimental "taint" API are being added.

React has its own set of complexities, including server actions and the new experimental "taint" API, which has been the subject of many jokes.

Adding built-in support for mutations in React could be a game-changer, but it also raises concerns about changing the semantics of how web forms work.

The Remix team, on the other hand, is committed to reducing the overall API footprint, rather than increasing it, which is a refreshing approach.

Discover more: Nextjs Pathname Server Component

OpenAI's experience with Next.js is a great example of how AI can impact the relevance of a technology. OpenAI moved away from server-side rendering in Next.js, prioritizing quick client-side rendering for ChatGPT.

This decision was likely driven by the fact that the ChatGPT interface doesn't require SEO advantages, as it's not focused on content. OpenAI's focus on fast interactions suggests that they value user experience over other considerations.

OpenAI's choice to abandon server-side rendering in Next.js may have significant implications for developers who rely on this feature. Next.js offers robust SSR features, but OpenAI found them less essential for their use case.

For your interest: Nextjs Rendering