That's how it's supposed to feel (wlls.dev)

In a reflective essay, a software engineer shares their evolving perspective on the use of AI tools like GitHub Copilot, recounting their initial excitement and subsequent doubts about coding's inherent challenges. They discuss the balance between leveraging AI for productivity and maintaining hands-on coding skills, emphasizing the mental rewards of struggle and learning in programming. The author expresses concerns about skill atrophy and the loss of craftsmanship as reliance on AI increases, advocating for a nuanced approach where AI aids in high-leverage tasks while hand-coding remains central to deep understanding. This discourse highlights a broader conversation within the AI/ML community regarding the implications of AI on developer practices. The article points to emerging data indicating that while AI tools can enhance through low latency interactions, they may also lead to larger pull requests and diminish the quality of output by encouraging less engagement with the problem-solving process. The author ultimately proposes a hybrid model that integrates AI for efficiency while prioritizing the art of coding, suggesting that this approach could expand creative possibilities in software development without sacrificing foundational skills.