---
title: Don't over rely on AI
date: 2025-01-12
permalink: daily/2025/01/12/reliance
tags:
  - software-development
cta: ~
snippet: |
  I've noticed I've started to go to AI for answers to simple questions I could find or figure out myself. Am I losing my problem-solving skills?
---

I've occasionally been experimenting with AI whilst programming.

Not in my editor, but asking it questions if I'm unsure how to do something or something isn't working.

As a pair programming partner of sorts.

Its results and suggestions are still mixed.

But I've noticed I've started to ask AI for answers to simple questions I can find or figure out myself.

Things like how to show more verbose output for a command, which I can find from the command's help text or manual.

This was part of a larger issue which, instead of asking AI, I would usually investigate by reading the available documentation or source code.

I don't want to lose my problem solving skills.

I like reading documentation and code to learn more about the tools I'm using and to solve issues I encounter.

I like to read articles others have written on their websites about the same or similar issues.

Whilst AI can be a useful tool, I don't want to become over reliant on it.

I still want to be able to investigate, solve and learn things for myself and enjoy the process.