Alright, so let’s talk about this AI thing in coding. It’s everywhere now—tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT are popping up in workflows, and yeah, they can make things faster. But, have you ever thought about how they might actually be doing more harm than good in some ways? Let me break it down.
Your Basic Coding Skills Are Rusting
Here’s the deal: if you’re always relying on AI to generate code, you’re not practicing the fundamentals. It’s like using a GPS all the time—you stop learning how to navigate. AI can write you a bubble sort, sure, but do you even know why it works? Or when you should use it?
Over time, if you stop doing the basics yourself, solving even simple problems can feel like a struggle. It’s not that you can’t do it—you’re just out of practice.
AI Isn’t Always Right
Here’s something we’ve all noticed: AI isn’t perfect. It pulls from all kinds of sources—good code, bad code, old code—and just spits something out. It might work, but is it the best solution? Maybe not. Worse, it might suggest something insecure or outdated, and you won’t even realize it unless you dig deeper.
Let’s say it suggests a library. Do you check if it’s actively maintained or if there’s a better option? If not, you might be setting yourself up for issues down the line.
Where’s the Creativity?
Part of what makes coding fun (or at least interesting) is solving problems and figuring out the best way to do something. AI kind of takes that away. It’s like giving someone a riddle and then just handing them the answer. Sure, it’s faster, but you miss out on the satisfaction—and the learning—that comes from figuring it out yourself.
Also, let’s be real: AI’s suggestions are generic. They’re not going to come up with that clever optimization or elegant solution you would’ve found by thinking it through.
Over-Reliance Is a Problem
What happens when your AI tool doesn’t work? Maybe the service is down, or it just doesn’t understand the problem you’re trying to solve. If you’ve been leaning on it too much, you might feel stuck. That’s a bad place to be, especially if you’re on a tight deadline.
I’ve seen people who get so used to AI debugging their code that they don’t really know how to debug manually anymore. That’s a slippery slope, man.
AI Doesn’t Get Your Project
This is a huge issue I have personally faced many times. Look, AI is good at spitting out solutions, but it doesn’t really understand your project. It doesn’t know the quirks of your codebase, the trade-offs you’ve had to make, or the long-term goals. It’s just working with what it knows—which is everything and nothing at the same time.
You still need to be the one steering the ship, making sure the code fits your needs, is scalable, and won’t turn into a nightmare to maintain. For example, AI shouldn’t be the one making the call on whether you use Next.js or Remix for your next web app.
The Legal Stuff Is Tricky
Here’s something you likely have not thought about: AI can pull from open-source or proprietary code, and you might accidentally include something you’re not supposed to. Next thing you know, your company’s dealing with legal headaches because you used some snippet that wasn’t actually free to use.
It’s rare, but it’s a risk. I have seen GPT spit out some code that is a little too similar to proprietary code than I would like. And it’s on you to vet anything you’re pulling in.
So What Should You Do?
AI isn’t the enemy—it’s a tool. Like any tool, it’s all about how you use it. Here’s how to make sure it helps you instead of hurting you:
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Double-Check Everything
Don’t just copy-paste AI’s code and move on. Review it, understand it, and make sure it’s the right fit. -
Keep Practicing the Basics
Even if AI saves you time, find ways to practice solving problems yourself. It’s like staying in shape—if you don’t use it, you lose it. -
Learn From AI, Don’t Just Use It
When it gives you a solution, take a minute to figure out why it works. That way, you’re still learning. -
Focus on Quality
Test everything, run code reviews, and don’t skip security checks. AI won’t do that for you, yet. -
Stay in the Driver’s Seat
Remember, you’re the one building the software. AI is just a helper—it’s not the architect or the project manager.
The Bottom Line
AI can be amazing—it really can. But it’s not a substitute for knowing your stuff. If you let it do all the heavy lifting, you’ll end up with a weaker skill set, and your projects might suffer in the long run. So use it, but use it wisely. Stay sharp, keep learning, and don’t let AI take the fun (or the challenge) out of coding.
At the end of the day, you’re the developer, not the AI. Don’t forget that.
