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I’ve spoke a bit in the past about AI and how in the beginning, I was a skeptic BUT then saw the light and have seen the positive results in our organization. It’s been nothing less than amazing and transformative for all our Devs. I still pay attention to the lasting effects of AI (Like it’s Radiation or something) and what it’s doing. I really watch our younger guys to see what AI is doing to them. I was in the past a believer that AI prevents the Dev from learning proper coding. WOW! Was I wrong!!!???

I’ve been polling our guys for 3-4 years now since we adopted the massive use of AI (We literally almost ask it what coffee we should be drinking while coding) and noticed something strange.

When we first starting using AI (4ish years ago), AI was writing 5%-10% of code for the grizzled old veteran Devs.

In contrast for the younger Devs, I saw something a little different, AI was writing 70%-80% of their code. This seemed predictable since they don’t have experience of the grizzled old veterans.

Now … Fast Forward to Today.

AI is writing about 50% of the grizzled old veteran’s code.

AI is probably writing about 50% of the younger dev’s code.

Notice something?

I had to quiz the grizzled old veterans as to why it is writing more of their code.

Overall answer:

In the beginning, they did not trust it much and were really cautious as to how much of the AI’s code they adopted. But later as they began to trust it more (And AI got better). They learned what AI did well and what it did not do so well.

Now for the younger Devs:

In the beginning they trusted the code more because of their lack of knowledge as to how good (Or bad) it was. BUT the younger guys had a little tougher time because they had to study and investigate some deep issues that came with AI’s code (Contrary to some beliefs, AI does not write perfect code. It still needs a babysitter). This did what I called a “Forced Learn” on the younger Devs who were presented with code they knew little about but had to support and understand it through troubleshooting. The younger guys learned from the code and elevated their coding ability VERY FAST! It was like having a professor sitting right next to them, presenting them with assignments, multiple times an hour! What does a professor do? He presents assignments, answers questions and maybe lectures (When available these days). What is AI doing? Presenting sample code and answering questions! The Q and A is filling the younger Devs’ brains quickly! The sum of all this is that eventually the younger Devs could write more themselves and use AI for what it does well thus AI ended up writing less of their code!

So, you end up with this before and after effect of using AI where AI is at first standing over the younger Devs directing them to the After where the younger Devs are standing over the AI coder and directing it!

Now there are some variables that I have not analyzed yet that could make a difference like the fact that grizzled old veterans are typically writing more complex projects and AI’s constantly accelerating improvements.

BUT I thought this was generally a bit fascinating and certainly one more reason for all you younger Devs out there to embrace AI for your coding career health!

Thank you

Sincerely,

Marshall Ellis

The Wizard of the Wide and Narrow, Buddha of Barcode,

Brother of Backscatter and Check Digit of Automation