Are We Losing Our Edge?: A call To return to basics

---

If worrying about Computer Science degrees becoming diluted wasn't enough, the rise of "Expert Beginners" or "Vibe Coders" doubles down on the grim reality of students once again choosing the easiest path in Frost's test in the wake of new challenges and hurdles.

The use of LLMs (Large Language Models) to create your favorite application or game may provide a momentary dopamine rush, but it can quickly transform that feeling into an addiction, preventing you from returning to learn something meaningful other than simply "proompting" your current favorite LLM model.

---

But can it be any different?

The reality is that when everyone around you jumps on the bandwagon of AI hype, and you hear your favorite tech influencer say:

"I can't code when ChatGPT is down,"

what can a newbie discern in that scenario?

Will they be vigilant enough to work hard on their skills?

No matter what path I try to entice new learners with, their unwillingness to grasp the basics and work on raw skills just keeps increasing.

---

As a last resort, let me say that AI tools are amazing (ironic, by the way!), but maybe we shouldn't sell the last piece of passion left in our hearts to these models.

Instead, we should try to stick to our roots.

So, what should we do? Shouldn't we use LLMs?

I say use them for anything, but just don't let them surpass the domain you are pursuing.

For programming:

• use them for documentation — the one thing developers hate dealing with
• use them to form analogies to difficult concepts
• use them to access W3 specifications or those sweet RFCs

But never let them program for you.