/ai

How I use/don't use AI

AI is pretty cool and can serve some really interesting functions. AI shows it's best value when used as a tool, not when it's forced into places it doesn't need to be. Most common use case seems to be using it to create slop.

How I use AI

AI is great for simulating another developer, and I sometimes utilise it for development assistance.

• Rubber Ducking - Explaining and abstracting your problems to a AI chat interface is excellent in the absence of another human to talk to.
• Code Review - Github bots like CodeRabbitAi are good as an extra set of eyes on a Pull Request. Although prone to some mistakes and often bizarre suggestions, it's useful to cover common practices that may have been missed.

How I don't use AI

I will never use AI to portray my self in how I write or code.

• Writing - Writing is an expression of the self and should come from the human with the ideas. Using AI to write personal messages (like emails, cover letters) is not genuine and shows no respect to the person you are addressing.
• Coding - As helpful as Copilot may be, an experienced developer will know what to write, and a less experience developer needs to understand what they wrote. It can slow down progress trying to decipher suggestions and regenerate each time it's incorrect. You lose all the learning potential when you rely on something else to do the critical thinking for you.