It still feels like gambling to me when I use AI code assistants to generate large chunks of code. Sometimes, it will surprise me with how well it does. Other times, it infuriatingly doesn't follow very precise instructions for small changes. This is even when I use it in the way that I often ask for multiple options for solutions and implementations and then choose between them after the AI tool does the course rating.
There are many instances where I get to the final part of the feature and realize I spent far more time coercing AI to do the right thing than it would have taken me to do it myself.
It is also sometimes really enjoyable and sometimes a horrible experience. Programming prior to it could also be frustrating at times, but not in the same way. Maybe it is the expectation of increased efficiency that is now demanded in the face of AI tools.
I do think AI tools are consistently great for small POCs or where very standard simple patterns are used. Outside of that, it is a crapshoot or slot machine.
This mentality seems like a recipe for procrastination. Yes it would great if I always could be at my optimal functioning for whatever task is at hand. This never happens and my brain tries to convince me that I am too tired, hungry, or whatever else before starting an important task.
On the very important areas of my life, it is much more helpful that I do something each day to try to make progress. On the busiest or hardest days, this might just be watching 5 minutes of a video on that topic. That keeps up my habit of doing something and makes it less likely that I will forget things.
If I am 100% productive at doing something that isn't important, the result on my life is no progress.
That might be their current stated preference, but I don't think it will be most people's actual choices. Imagine if self driving was available on every car right now with the press of a button and it was as safe or twice as safe as a normal driver. How many people would press that button, start texting, and just continuing to progress to paying less and less attention ?
People already don't pay the attention they should when driving or when using a driver assistant system.
There are many instances where I get to the final part of the feature and realize I spent far more time coercing AI to do the right thing than it would have taken me to do it myself.
It is also sometimes really enjoyable and sometimes a horrible experience. Programming prior to it could also be frustrating at times, but not in the same way. Maybe it is the expectation of increased efficiency that is now demanded in the face of AI tools.
I do think AI tools are consistently great for small POCs or where very standard simple patterns are used. Outside of that, it is a crapshoot or slot machine.