From Skepticism to Overreliance, My Journey With AI (And How to Thrive as a Coder)
16 Apr 2026 #codingNah… 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.
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.