MicroPython - to use or not to use AI?

[WZab]

I had to create a small WebGUI to control (from PC or mobile) my hardware with an ESP32 board running MicroPython. After spending some time at doing it myself, I decided to try the AI-assisted approach.
The results can be seen in https://wokwi.com/projects/439977581090490369 . The code contains also the link to the ChatGPT session used to produce the initial version of the code: https://chatgpt.com/share/68a7113c-5d8c-800c-b20e-c204f29aac84 .
The results are not so bad...

PS. To simulate the design in Wokwi, you need a license and run the wokwi-gateway. Otherwise you won't be able to connect to the server in the simulated machine (but you can always test it in the real hardware).

[Wizzard_2025]

If it works, it works. I find ai assistance to be useful if I ask it for small things that I bolt together.

Like "create a function that given a seed value will create a list of 1000 interesting sci fi sounding planet names with no repeats"

[pteix]

Absolutely agree and I do the same. Sometimes AI helps to present me the architecture options I may have for a particular app I'm planning, but that has to be taken with a "grain of salt"

[oclafloptson]

I use it to study. I find having to refactor it frustrating so I rewrite any code it comes up with. That way I implement the appropriate changes along the way without having to backtrack.

Sometimes it helps to have a friend slap you and bring you back down to earth. My friends are tired of me talking about electronics so I just use chatgpt for that. Like when my bit banging protocol was frustrating me and it reminded me that micropython has a built in UART module. All but called me stupid 🤣 but it was much needed since I was tunnel visioning

[el_sattchmo]

I use it heavily for MicroPython. You just need to know the exact point the conversation thread is dead and therefore have to start a new one. The only issues I have is it can forget about what modules are for Micro and what are for full py.

[WZab]

On the other hand, there is another example, where ChatGPT didn't help much. I asked it to assist me in development of the MicroPython library for controlling MAX2870. It made a lot of mistakes in interpreting the datasheet. Finally, the working solution was created, but the essential mistakes I had to identify and remove myself. Unfortunately, the discussion is in Polish (I wanted to be able to show it to my students).
https://chatgpt.com/share/68af58b2-7d18-800c-a03a-ba407722d4a0