Ask HN: Thoughts on hiring junior engineers in 2026?

Just started hiring for my AI x Freight startup. To vet junior hires I'm offering them paid internships (above median market pay) before making a FT hire decision.

So far, I'm really struggling to see the value add of a junior engineer given how good the models have become. A senior with Max plan beats three junior hires (very rough estimate).

Having spoken with a few peers (founders), they have expressed similar feelings. I want to hire juniors and see them grow, but I feel my bar of expectations is at an all time high, and perhaps unrealistic.