The Reality of AI in Coding: My Humorous Encounter with ChatGPT and CLAUDE

In the fast-evolving world of technology, the fear of an impending AI apocalypse often looms large. However, after my recent escapades with two AI platforms—ChatGPT and CLAUDE—I’ve come to an amusing conclusion: AI may not be ready to take over the coding world just yet.

My adventure began innocently enough, sparked by a desire to create some graphics for my Substack newsletter. Initially, I planned to tackle the design in PowerPoint, a straightforward choice. But then I had a whimsical idea—why not challenge an AI to help me out? After all, how much time could I save?

What started as an optimistic quest quickly morphed into a chaotic scenario that resembled a game of whack-a-mole. With every solution we implemented, a new problem emerged, multiplying like a fractal nightmare. Although I won’t bore you with the intricate details of this digital debacle, let’s just say I learned a few new expletives along the way. My favorite? “CLUSTER***K” perfectly sums up the experience!

After several days of frustration, I finally set aside the AI experiment and returned to the good old methods, completing a polished PowerPoint presentation in just over three hours—much quicker than my AI companions could manage.

It became quite evident to me that current AI technology resembles an eager but inexperienced coder, much like a rookie on their very first coding assignment. Sure, advancements like Reinforcement Learning from AI-generated Feedback (RLHF) are on the horizon and promise to enhance these systems significantly, thanks to the invaluable contributions from human experts. However, at this moment, the capabilities of AI in coding remain limited.

So, if you find yourself overwhelmed by the fear of AI taking over (exacerbated by sensationalist influencers), consider this a gentle reminder that while these tools may evolve, their current state isn’t as frightening as it seems. Instead of worrying, perhaps you might pour a glass of Scotch, take a couple of aspirin, and know that the AI revolution is still very much a work in progress. After all, there’s always the possibility that some cannabis might just help lighten the mood too!