Navigating My Transition from Coder to AI Supervisor in 2023
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Chapter 1: Embracing Change in My Work Life
Recently, I've come to a significant realization about my professional journey. I've adapted my workflow to harness the power of AI, which has fundamentally altered my approach to coding. As a result, my identity as a programmer has evolved.
Now, I find myself acting as an AI supervisor rather than just a coder. However, I still excel in coding.
My 2023 Coding Strategy: Using AI as a Tool
Indeed, I consider myself the top coder in my environment. While I shy away from the label of a "10x coder," I believe the notion is flawed. In reality, I'm twice as efficient as my peers, with significantly fewer bugs in my work. When assessing my contributions to the team, I would confidently rate myself as tenfold better.
With the introduction of AI into my workflow, I was eager to leverage it to boost my coding efficiency. It has undeniably accelerated my output.
Interestingly, I feel that I have transitioned away from being a traditional software engineer.
Section 1.1: The Shift in My Role
At times, my coding now involves crafting prompts for AI tools like ChatGPT, which can enhance my productivity by more than tenfold. In more complex situations, I rely on GitHub Copilot to expedite my development process, akin to a supercharged code completion tool.
If we analyze this shift, my contributions to the codebase have significantly increased by:
- Conducting code reviews throughout the development phase.
- Engaging ChatGPT for basic inquiries, such as naming methods and variables (yes, I know it sounds beginner-level).
- Exploring various solutions by consulting ChatGPT to validate my ideas and incorporate diverse options.
Overall, I use AI to sift through less viable concepts during my iterative development process.
Subsection 1.1.1: Streamlining Boilerplate Code
Primarily, I utilize GitHub Copilot for boilerplate code. Rather than spending excessive time generating repetitive code, I can now auto-complete mundane tasks, allowing me to focus on more pressing challenges. This not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of errors.
Section 1.2: The Evolution of My Coding Practice
As I write less code, I find that my job has not historically required extensive coding. However, I frequently evaluate code generated by AI. Often, this code needs adjustments or prompts for refinement, as GitHub Copilot occasionally takes a misguided direction.
Now, my role resembles that of a supervisor, guiding the code generated by a junior programmer. I provide prompts to steer the AI in the right direction and contribute analytical insights when necessary. I can identify when the generated code is inaccurate (thanks to ChatGPT) or overly simplistic (in the case of GitHub Copilot).
Chapter 2: The Quality of My Work
This first video discusses how to secure your tech career against AI disruption by identifying the best coding languages to learn.
The second video addresses the potential decline of coding jobs in light of AGI advancements and whether it's still worthwhile to learn coding in 2024.
In conclusion, my experience as a coder has undergone a transformation. While it hasn't been revolutionary, it's reminiscent of how accountants adapted during the rise of computers. It's no longer merely about coding; it's about leveraging technology to enhance the quality of my work.
About The Author
Professional Software Developer “The Secret Developer” can be found on Twitter @TheSDeveloper and regularly publishes articles through Medium.com.