AI tools have become a hot topic among developers. Some people treat them as magic wands that will instantly make them better programmers. Others see them as the end of learning altogether.
Like most things in tech, the truth is somewhere in the middle. But before we talk about AI, let’s talk about carpentry...
The Power Tool Paradox
A new carpenter walks into a workshop. The master hands them the most advanced, high-powered saw money can buy.
It cuts perfectly. Fast. Flawless.
But because the carpenter never learned the basics, they can’t fix mistakes, adjust measurements, or work without the tool.
When something goes wrong with the tool, they lose all ability to build.
AI tools work the same way. For experienced developers, they can improve productivity, speed up debugging, and accelerate problem-solving.
For new developers, they can do all these things too. But if you use them too soon, they will prevent you from truly learning the skills you are trying to develop.
Why They Can Hurt You Early On
Here’s the problem: if you rely on AI tools before you understand the fundamentals, you’re not really learning to code. You’re learning to copy and paste code.
- You skip the struggle that teaches you why something works.
- You never build the mental models that help you debug on your own.
- You get false confidence because your code “works” but you don’t actually understand it.
The unfortunate thing about creating long term results is that we can only do so by enduring a lot of short term pain.
Just like you have to tear muscle fibers for them to grow back stronger, you have to mentally struggle through the process of learning code to become an effective programmer.
Avoid Them (Mostly) At First
I’m not saying to pretend AI tools don’t exist. That’s like telling a carpenter to ignore power tools because “real” woodworkers only use hand saws.
But in your first few months, limit your usage:
- Use them only after you’ve tried solving the problem yourself.
- Ask them to explain concepts rather than just write full solutions.
- Have them review your code instead of generating it from scratch.
This way, you still do the heavy lifting, but you get a smarter spotter in the gym.
Still Learn Them
While you shouldn’t depend on them early on, you absolutely need to learn how to use AI tools.
The developers who thrive in the next decade will be the ones who can:
- Write great prompts.
- Use AI for brainstorming, debugging, and refactoring.
- Integrate AI directly into their workflows and applications.
Once you have a solid grasp of programming basics, you should start exploring AI tools. Learn and leverage the latest LLMs, try Cursor, experiment with AI App Builders, etc.
But be your own advocate. If you find yourself relying on them too much or not learning properly, take a step back. Wait until you’ve learned more, then start using them again.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t here to replace developers, but it is certainly changing the way we work.
If you’re brand new, treat AI like a mentor instead of a crutch. Learn the basics yourself, then start using these tools to push your skills further than you could on your own.
If you build a strong foundation without leaning on the tools, you will be a far better programmer once you do begin using them.
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