One reason for this trend could be that these popular tools have set a new standard for user experience and functionality, and many companies are trying to emulate their success.
With the rise of design systems and pre-built UI kits, it's easier than ever for developers to skip designers and build something fast. This lack of customization of UI kits results in similar design elements across different projects.
I believe that AI-powered writing tools like ChatGPT are just the beginning of many exciting and useful tools to come. But we have to remember that these are just tools.
I also believe that the way we use the tool has been evolving with the developments of these tools:
When using Google, it is important to know what search terms to use.
When using Grammarly, it is important to know what suggestions to accept and what to ignore.
When using ChatGPT, the skill is in asking the right question.
Using ChatGPT in the way you described, as a tool to assist and improve your own writing, should not be considered plagiarism.
As a self-taught software developer, I understand your feelings. Many tutorials, workshops, and boot camps focus on the technical aspects of software development. Coding, fixing bugs, and handling incidents are thrilling and give a sense of accomplishment.
However, when the applications I built became older, as more and more people started using them, and as the underlying tech stack continued to release new versions every year, I found myself spending more and more time patching up code to fix issues reported by users. I was patching the same code again and again or doing the exact change at ten different places and messing up in multiple ways. Since these applications were mission-critical for my clients, there was no way to avoid this.
I realized that behind-the-scenes, "boring" concepts of planning, refactoring, discussing with team members, and architecting were essential for my future as a developer. These practices allow me to spend more time on the "fun" aspects of development and less on the "boring" stuff.
It's similar to going to the gym. It may not seem important in the short term, but it's essential for a healthy long-term future.
With the rise of design systems and pre-built UI kits, it's easier than ever for developers to skip designers and build something fast. This lack of customization of UI kits results in similar design elements across different projects.