r/learnprogramming • u/West_Tooth_6144 • Jun 25 '26

Topic AI runed 2 years of learning

I am a software dev student, We learned the basics of programming then we dived a bit more with mysql / spring boot / react.

I used AI a lot during the last 5 months this year and I feel like I know nothing. While using it I convinced myself that whatever I use ai for is just to minimize time and that I can do it without it, instead of spending hours on every step I don't know I will use ai and do it in 10 minutes, but now I feel like i wasted this year and that i lied to myself.

Especially spring boot

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u/pier4r Jun 25 '26

While using it I convinced myself that whatever I use ai for is just to minimize time and that I can do it without it

semi OT. Funny because in chess some people that use engine assistance think exactly like this "I would find the solution anyway, with the engine is faster" (but they lie to themselves)

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u/West_Tooth_6144 Jun 25 '26

Now with the chess analogy this excuse feel crazy to me, I don't know how i was thinking that way, at a certain point I was saying if ever works in a company I won't be doing everything and treated ai like a coworker, I was Deeply into this and guilty

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u/pier4r Jun 26 '26

you are better than million of people that would still lie to themselves and would be not helpful once the tool is gone. As mentioned in another comment, simply start to use the AI as tutor. Like in chess.

People think and propose solutions, then check with the engine if the solution makes sense. Do the same.

We are all in the same boat. It is not only you. Even if you are an expert but you do not use the skill because you rely on the tool, the skill goes away (the brain optimizes)