I've heard the analogy (I think I might have originally read it on HN) that software engineers in the 2020s are like Detroit auto workers in the 1950s - highly skilled, highly paid, and doomed. I hope this is wrong.
I don't think the market for highly technical "computer guys" is going to disappear, but the nature of the job is probably going to change dramatically. But then it wouldn't be the first time - hasn't the job already changed completely since, say, the 1980s? I can't imagine working in this job before the internet existed, but many did. Maybe in another decade or two I'll be saying that I can't remember what it was like to do this kind of work before AI was this good.
As a European, this is yet another aspect of American life that surprises me... although perhaps it shouldn't be surprising.
British cars need to pass a yearly inspection (called the MOT) to be legally allowed on the road, and if you drive around with a failed or expired MOT then you WILL get caught and the punishment will hurt.
It's quick and easy to get the test done yearly and it's not a big deal; the system works well. You can even go online and look up the MOT history of any car, which is handy if you're about to buy the car as it'll let you know about any historical faults.
I assume there's something similar in most developed countries... why does America not do this?
Yep, that's why it's a legal requirement that if you take a UK car to mainland Europe, you need to put some stickers over the edge of your headlights so you don't blind oncoming drivers: https://www.euromotoring.uk/beam-deflectors-GB-sticker