There are some layers to this topic. In a way, yes, I want to put in less effort and AI allows me to do that, but it has a negative effect. Now, when I face a problem that needs real critical thinking and problem-solving skills, I’m lazier than in the past. Sometimes I spend a lot of time trying to get AI to do it for me.
On the flip side, I can use it to extend my knowledge. I can have it analyze my code and suggest design patterns for better maintainability or extensibility. I’ve used some of those suggestions with good results that have lasted a few months so far.
I think there has to be a balance. Critical thinking, programming, and problem-solving skills are still very important. When used correctly, you can reach bigger goals faster, as long as you keep yourself in check.
Which I believe is the biggest problem — making sure you are not wasting time on problems that you could easily solve if you stopped trying to get AI to do it for you.
@Mika
This is a thoughtful answer. I also noticed I’ve gotten lazier. For instance, when I need to quickly move a lot of files, I used to come up with crafty bash commands, but now I find myself asking AI to write a script for me. I was kind of lazy with the details but it still worked. Sometimes I feel my skills are slipping a bit.
AI often brings up new ways to do things, moving away from methods I had used for years. It’s similar to stepping into a lead role where you do less hands-on work and more strategizing and evaluating.
Now I found myself asking AI to write a script for moving files
I think that shows improvement in usability for the average user.
@Mika
I think I’ve found the right mix for myself. I use the suggestions from AI with a cap of three lines of code. Usually, it figures out what I’m writing and finishes it for me without suggesting anything I wouldn’t already have written. A lot of the time, my coding follows predictable patterns.
Sometimes I use prompts for things that are hard to remember. For instance, I needed to write a SQL query through a low-code editor and had to figure out how to write a stored procedure without using DELIMITER. I could have figured that out in about 5 to 10 minutes, but the AI gave me an answer right away.
I never ask AI for ideas or solutions, just for help with editing. I see myself as the writer and the AI is more like an editor who’s seen a ton of projects and can give helpful advice. I think that’s the sweet spot.
@Zhen
Your metaphor is perfect
@Mika
GitHub Copilot is an interesting case. I have it integrated into my IDE. It’s mostly good for autocomplete, but I often think about canceling it because it’s just barely helpful. In some ways, it keeps me sharp because I have to carefully read each suggestion to catch any mistakes.
Even its comments are only about half accurate.
Overall, it does save me time but barely. I think I could match that by just typing faster.
@Brook
I have GitHub Copilot for work and use Claude for my personal projects. Saying I’m disappointed in Copilot would be an understatement. I even thought of using it for my personal projects, but after just a week with it, I’ve realized that’s not going to work out.
The tipping point came when I tried giving Copilot a 500-line class, and it didn’t handle it well. It has a really limited view of context compared to tools like Claude.
If you haven’t tried Claude yet, I suggest you do. To me, it feels way ahead of Copilot. That said, I built a custom wrapper around its site to make file syncing much better.
@Mika
This is so true. It’s turned me into the kind of programmer that my bosses love: someone who gets things done quickly without much regard for quality. This creates tension because I care about quality. But with AI tools, we can both get what we want.
I don’t use them, so I can’t say much.
Kiran said:
I don’t use them, so I can’t say much.
Same here. This is kind of like the old debate about people mindlessly copying code from Stack Overflow. It’s key to understand what you’re putting into your work.
That said, the bar has been set really low lately, and since I lost my job last year, I’ve had trouble finding a team with developers who are more useful than AI. I often feel disgusted and disappointed.
@Zeek
The great thing about AI, in my opinion, is that it can explain things. It can break down what’s happening and even explain like I’m five. So when I’m trying something new or need help, it can offer a solution and explain it.
I think it’s a great learning tool.
@Blaire
Does Copilot do the same? From what I gathered, it works more like predictive text.
Kiran said:
I don’t use them, so I can’t say much.
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Kiran said:
I don’t use them, so I can’t say much.
[deleted]
That’s part of my job, so I don’t need help sorting out the good from the bad using an AI assistant.
@Kiran
Just to add to your comment, I’ve seen that the longer you code, the more concise your code becomes. Less code means fewer chances for errors and less confusion. AI kind of negates this. Coding should aim to make it hard to go wrong and easy to do it right.
@Dezi
Exactly, I don’t have time to teach AI to behave.
@Dezi
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@Micah
I use AI to help me create good patterns and keep my code easy to read. Using AI in different ways is important, and treating it like a new intern makes my projects cleaner. The comments it generates are also useful when I review them.