From Skepticism to Overreliance, My Journey With AI (And How to Thrive as a Coder)
Nah... I don't care In early 2023, a coworker tried that new thing called ChatGPT. He shared his excitement. I wasn't that impressed. Months later, after all the buzz, I searched that Chat thing . Every time I tried, I couldn't access it. It was a public beta or something. Too many people. Then, I learned from Brent Ozar to keep a browser tab with ChatGPT open as a junior assistant. Mmm, there's…
Early 2023 saw a coworker's enthusiasm for ChatGPT. Impressed by their excitement, I tried it out myself, but my initial experience was underwhelming. Months later, after the hype died down, I discovered ChatGPT. However, I was unable to access it due to high demand. Brent Ozar recommended keeping a browser tab with ChatGPT open to assist as a junior developer.
Intrigued, I gave it a try. In early 2024, Devin made headlines, sparking fears of an AI takeover. Although I remained skeptical, I continued to explore AI tools. In early 2025, after a fresh start, I decided to fully embrace AI. While Copilot proved to be a powerful tool, I found myself becoming overly reliant on it. To combat this dependency, I implemented an AI detox, resuming my regular routine until I prioritized self-improvement.
The experience led me to establish guidelines for using AI effectively without sacrificing my coding abilities. Recognizing AI as a transformative tool, I emphasized the importance of possessing foundational skills before leveraging AI's capabilities. In essence, AI should complement one's expertise, rather than replace it. To guide others through this journey, I authored "Street-Smart Coding," a resource that I wish I had during my own transition from a junior to a senior developer.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
