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 something there...

In early 2024, Devin was released.
"The sky is falling" all over the headlines.
I didn't buy it.

OMG! This is dangerous!

Early 2025, I decided to try AI with a fresh mind.

After using Copilot for weeks, "OMG! This thing is dangerous."
One day I realized I couldn't finish a simple task alone.
The tool worked, but I was becoming so dependent.

An AI detox season followed.
No more AI until you eat your vegetables and do your homework.

Then I made some rules to use AI without losing my skills.

Like any other tool, AI is a game changer with the right skills.
Otherwise, it's like a fancy calculator in a math exam you didn't study for.

To thrive in the AI era, build real skills, then leverage AI.
This is the way!

To help you build AI-proof skills, I wrote Street-Smart Coding. The guide I wish I had on my journey from junior to senior.