The Developer Identity Crisis – When AI Split Programmers into Two Tribes (devmystify.com)

In 2026, the software development community finds itself divided into two factions: those who reject AI coding tools in favor of manual coding, and those who embrace AI, viewing code as a mere detail. Research from Anthropic highlights significant implications for this shift; it reveals that reliance on AI often leads to “comprehension debt,” where developers write code without fully understanding it. This results in increased code churn and duplication while diminishing developers' skills, particularly for junior coders who are still building foundational knowledge. The study indicates that using AI as a mere generator harms understanding, as participants using AI scored lower on comprehension tests compared to peers who learned independently. Conversely, some developers have adapted their workflows to leverage AI effectively through “Spec-Driven Development,” where detailed specifications guide AI in generating and testing code. This approach allows experienced programmers to enhance productivity while maintaining comprehension. While the community grapples with these contrasting approaches, the overarching takeaway is clear: how one utilizes AI—whether as a generator or as a tutor—dictates long-term success and understanding in programming. Engaging actively with the code and maintaining ownership of the learning process is crucial to ensure that reliance on AI tools does not erode essential programming skills.