Why You Shouldn’t Fear AI: A Candid Journey Through Coding with AI Assistants

In recent days, I embarked on an intriguing experiment with two prominent AI tools—ChatGPT and CLAUDE. What started as a straightforward quest to create graphics for my Substack led me down a rabbit hole of unexpected challenges and quite a bit of amusement.

Initially, I considered using PowerPoint for the task at hand, a decision I anticipated would take a few hours. However, I thought, “Why not give AI a try for coding instead?” This seemingly innocent idea marked the beginning of a rather chaotic endeavor.

With high hopes, I partnered with CLAUDE to develop a professional suite of graphics. I was optimistic about the potential time savings! Yet, as we delved deeper into the project, it quickly turned into a relentless game of whack-a-mole. Each time we addressed one issue, another unforeseen problem emerged, complicating matters further. Let’s just say the experience was nothing short of a “cluster…”—you can imagine the rest.

After a few frustrating days filled with misfires and setbacks, I finally shelved the AI approach and completed my PowerPoint presentation in a little over three hours, proving once again that sometimes the traditional route is the most effective.

It’s become clear that today’s AI tools operate at the level of a novice coder on their first assignment. While we can anticipate improvements as they benefit from Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) and AI-enhanced learning, it’s important to manage expectations. Many human experts will undoubtedly contribute to refining these automated systems, but the current capabilities remain limited.

Consequently, the widespread angst surrounding AI’s potential existential threats may be overstated or driven by those with ulterior motives aiming to capitalize on fear. Instead of succumbing to anxiety, take a moment to relax—pour yourself a glass of Scotch or indulge in some self-care. AI is a tool, and while it has room to grow, the fear of an AI uprising is not something we should be losing sleep over.

Let’s embrace the journey of learning, understanding, and using these tools wisely, while keeping a healthy perspective on their limitations.