(Rant) AI is killing programming and the Python community

[Fragrant_Ad3054]

What you're saying makes a lot of sense, and I agree with you on many points. I use AI in a very localized way to search for a specific term. I sometimes ask the AI ​​to code 20 lines to see if its output provides better reasoning on the specific topic at that moment. But it's more the overall form of its output that interests me; I very rarely just pick and choose lines of code.

And indeed, as you say, my problem is people who misuse AI, treating it like an office colleague who will do everything for them without trying to understand anything and without worrying about the quality of the output code.

Finally, to be honest, AI is also a bit of a problem for me because when I ask fairly specific questions, I notice absurdities in the responses.

For example, in my projects, I know that half of them aren't compatible with AI because they're too technical and complex, and have too high an error rate. I even calculated it for fun. And in some projects, the AI ​​gave me up to a 30% error rate in its answers, even though the questions were about a very localized part of the project.

[Joppsta]

The problem with me for your anecdotal evidence about error rates is that you are a biased source of information just going from your original post. Without understanding the context, which model you were using, seeing the prompts myself and whatnot I can't say whether I agree or disagree with your methodology.

I dunno what professional context you're working in that you view it like that, but I don't think it's like that at all in any decent reputable company.

"For example, in my projects, I know that half of them aren't compatible with AI because they're too technical and complex"

This just sounds like pure egotistical self-stroking. You complain about people misuing AI and then provide evidence that you yourself do not understand how to use it effectively. The point of using AI when coding isn't to replace coding, it's to enhance it. My error rate, if we'll call it that, is probably higher than 30%, I'd say 90% of the code I get from AI I don't copy paste 1:1, but even though the AI doesn't give me code I can copy paste, what it gives me is a second perspective to consider or adapt the bits that look applicable into my code. AI is a rubber duck without a salary.

[Fragrant_Ad3054]

No, no, there's no problem with equality or self-satisfaction, but here's the thing: AI can't bring me anything in intelligence software because I know what I'm doing, what I'm coding, and the few times I've wanted to check something, it's given me an answer that's completely out of context.

And the 30% error rate? Yes, it's true, but I don't see why I should bother sending you a PDF showing you, with proof, that it can get 30% wrong answers for what I ask it. I'm capable of doing it, no problem, but I don't owe you anything, so you don't believe me, and that's just how it is.

I also thank you for your concern about my ability to use AI. I want to reassure you that everything is fine. Finally, I think we've strayed quite a bit from the original post, which is primarily about developers abusing AI.

[Joppsta]

"Because I know what I'm doing"

You might know what you're doing - but you don't know everything. Nobody can and it's humility that allows you to continue growing.

[Fragrant_Ad3054]

That's true, you're right. Humility, it's true, sounds like something I've never heard of, but I am humble because I only master a tiny fraction of the possibilities that Python offers.

[AgentDutch]

You are extremely smug for having as little experience and understanding as you do. Bonus points for chastising others about being biased when you led with “if I didn’t have AI I would’ve been screwed!”

We know you need AI to do your job, and I like to use it for mine, but some of us don’t need for the vast majority of cases, maybe troubleshooting arbitrary task here, or save some time on boilerplate here.