Thread

1. AyanamiKaine · 1789978561 · focus · HN ↗

   I really don't know what to feel about AI generated code. It's clear that it improves velocity dramatically in code output. It has some value to it. But what is the cost?

   While I code without the help of AI, sometimes I feel like I am being left behind.

   Ohh you wrote only 400 lines today? I shipped a whole app while being in the gym... hits hard.

   1. close2 · 1789979523 · focus · HN ↗

      You are left behind. That's like saying: "I am using punch cards for programming and I feel left behind as others are using real-time IDEs" You don't need to vibe code (and even this is only a matter of time as llms become better and better), but not using AI at all will definitely leave you behind.

      1. skort · 1789979656 · focus · HN ↗

         Citation needed?

         Sure you can churn out more code with a LLM, but is it good code? Is it correct? If being left behind means I don't ship slop, I'll gladly bow out.

         1. yayachiken · 1789981327 · focus · HN ↗

            At the very least, AI can review all the code you have written. You can still reject every suggestion, but in the worst it will just slow you down. No citation needed for that. If an AI were to truly confuse you sufficiently to accept a wrong suggestion based on phony logic, then it just shows you didn't grok the logic deeply in the first place. (Which is a helpful finding for the second iteration.)

            You didn't say if you did, but just in case if you truly never had a serious look at LLM tools, you really need to step up. Never even trying something like Claude Code borders on negligence nowadays.

            AI is still a bubble, but pretty much every software developer having a hard-dependency on these companies nowadays, is was sustains it. It sucks, but currently there is no realistic way around it.

            Exceptions apply for data protection reasons, obviously don't upload all your personal data and business-critical intellectual property into some 3rd-party AI tool.

      2. coldtea · 1789980301 · focus · HN ↗

         As an AI user you're not that different from the punch cards programmer.

         You're more like a cobbler who adopted some new electrical tools for their craft, and feel smug against backwards cobblers using manual tools, while in the meantime the newer versions of those tools in the form of factory automation move in to make the whole craft obsolete.

         1. sanswork · 1789980527 · focus · HN ↗

            "Becoming an engineering manager will leave you unemployed"

            1. coldtea · 1789997053 · focus · HN ↗

               It very well may. Quite a few among those that have been fired because of AI (or at least, with the companies claiming AI as the cause).
         2. Nursie · 1789980857 · focus · HN ↗

            This analogy may well be very apposite.

            But what is that cobbler supposed to do during that time? He can keep his head above water using the machine, suspecting the factory is coming for him too or ... he can refuse to modernise and fail now as others outperform him?

            "Stop the factory being built" is not within his power.

            1. coldtea · 1789996826 · focus · HN ↗

               >But what is that cobbler supposed to do during that time?

               Optimally? Move to the best available trade that appears not to be deprecated for a good 50 years in the future, and in which they'd hire someone of his background.

               1. Nursie · 1790006838 · focus · HN ↗

                  And this is why I’m considering retraining as an electrician :)

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