More developers than ever are using AI-powered tools to support their workflows. Tools like Cursor, GitHub Copilot, TypingMind, and others have become regular parts of the engineering experience. In many ways, they’ve made things easier. But the more I use AI tooling, the more I question how I’m using it.
The thought I keep coming back to is:
- Am I using the tool to fuel my development?
- Or am I letting it drive my development?
There’s a difference, and it matters.
A Companion, Not a Crutch
These tools are designed to assist you, not to replace you.
When you work with tools this powerful, it’s easy to become passive and let them take over significant parts of your process. In moments like that, it’s worth stepping back and recognizing that we’re still responsible for how things get done.
You’re doing the thinking.
Even if an AI model can generate an answer quickly, it’s your job to frame the problem, clarify the context, define the constraints, and know what a good outcome looks like.
You’re doing the work.
The tools may provide an outline or accelerate part of your process, but they won’t understand your edge cases, your system architecture, or your team’s expectations. Even with strong prompts, the output isn’t automatically correct. It still needs to be reviewed, edited, and integrated with intention.
You’re reviewing the work.
When these tools go on tangents, they can significantly complicate your codebase. It’s on you to catch that early and realign the direction. The generated output doesn’t go to production without your signoff, which means your understanding and judgment need to stay sharp.
Use the Tool Well: Be Intentional
The best outcomes I’ve had with AI support didn’t happen by accident. They happened when I approached the conversation with clarity.
In my experience, over-explaining is always better than under-explaining. The clearer your intention, the more likely you are to receive something useful. It’s worth taking the time to explain not just what you want, but why you want it, what matters most, and what tradeoffs you’re considering.
And when the generated code is wrong, off-track, or needlessly complex — say so. It’s helpful to challenge the output and redirect as needed. The same way you’d push back on an overbuilt solution from a teammate, you need to maintain that level of discipline with your AI companion, too.
Maintain control. Don’t let the tool invert the relationship.
There Was a World Before This
Not long ago, none of these tools existed, and we still got things done. That’s worth remembering.
AI support can help you move faster. However, speed doesn’t replace depth of understanding, and automation shouldn’t replace critical thinking. These tools don’t eliminate the need for strategy — they just give you more ways to execute on it.
You still need to:
- Know what’s happening in your code.
- Be accountable for problems and technical decisions.
- Be able to explain and defend your solutions in reviews or conversations.
None of that changes just because the first few versions of your code came from a generative interface. Hold onto your craft. Take pride in producing high-quality solutions that make sense, solve the problem, and feel intentional.
Your Brain Still Leads
AI is powerful, but it wasn’t built in a vacuum. It was created by people like us. Its knowledge comes from other developers’ collective work, writing, and decisions. It can recognize patterns, summarize documentation, or generate solutions based on precedent. But that’s where its capability stops.
It doesn’t reason like you. It doesn’t intuit or feel. It can’t make tradeoffs based on evolving team priorities. But you can. Don’t underestimate the complexity of your own brain — and don’t give up control just because a tool sounds confident.
Own the Work
I’ve found real value using AI-assisted tools, and I genuinely enjoy the ways they support my development. But I’ve also seen the risks when we lean too hard on them. Make sure you’re still leading the process. It’s your code, your choices, your name on the pull request.
AI can support the journey, but it doesn’t get to steer the ship.