The Myth of the AI Coding Apocalypse: A Personal Encounter with Technology

In recent days, I found myself on an unexpected odyssey involving two well-known AIs: ChatGPT and CLAUDE. What initially seemed like a straightforward venture into graphic design for my Substack project quickly transformed into a digital adventure fraught with challenges.

My original plan was simple: use PowerPoint to create my graphics. Yet, in a moment of curiosity, I thought, “Why not explore the capabilities of AI for coding?” What could go wrong, right? Little did I know that this decision would send me spiraling into a series of digital frustrations.

What I anticipated to be a few hours of straightforward work in PowerPoint turned into a chaotic struggle with artificial intelligence. Every time I attempted to correct one issue, it felt as though I were fighting a relentless game of Whac-A-Mole. Issues would crop up unexpectedly, making the task resemble a complex puzzle rather than the straightforward project I envisioned. After several days suffering through errors and complications, I finally set aside the AI tools and crafted a polished PowerPoint presentation in just over three hours.

This experience underscored a critical takeaway: current AIs, while impressive, possess capabilities akin to that of a novice coder on their first assignment. I have no doubt that advances in AI—bolstered by methods like Reinforcement Learning from AI-generated Feedback—will refine their abilities over time. Experts will contribute valuable insights to create more proficient automated coding systems in the future.

However, for now, the widespread apprehension about AIs taking over coding jobs seems misplaced. Much of this anxiety appears to stem from either misunderstanding or may be fueled by certain influencers peddling fear to sell a narrative. Instead of succumbing to the stress of impending doom about artificial intelligence, I suggest taking a step back. Pour yourself a glass of Scotch, perhaps take two aspirin, and just relax. If you’re feeling adventurous, maybe even consider a bit of cannabis to unwind!

In summary, while the future of AI is bright, today’s reality is that we should embrace technology and understand its current limitations, rather than fearing it.