Learning to Code in the Age of AI

So, you wanna learn to code? Cool! But hold up—AI’s out here writing essays, generating memes, and probably composing breakup texts for your ex. What’s the point of you learning to code? Let me tell you: it’s like learning to cook in the era of Uber Eats. Sure, robots can slap together a meal, but you still need to know how to taste.

Back in My Day (aka 2013)

We used to learn coding like it was a secret cult. Memorize syntax! Worship the semicolon! Debug for six hours because you wrote = instead of ==! It was like trying to build IKEA furniture without the picture manual. And we liked it! (No, we didn’t. We cried a lot.)

Now? AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot will literally finish your code mid-sentence. It’s like having a know-it-all friend who won’t shut up. “Hey, I see you’re writing a loop. Want me to do that for you? Also, your hair looks bad.”

Here’s the Tea: AI Won’t Steal Your Job (Probably)

Let’s get real. AI is great at spitting out code, but it has the creativity of a toaster. Ask it to build a website, and you’ll get something that looks like Geocities 1997. Ask it to debug your code, and it’ll suggest turning it off and on again.

Your new superpower? Being the weird human who says:

• “But what if the app could also meow when you’re sad?”
• “Let’s make the button sparkle… but, like, ironically.”
• “Why don’t we ask users what they actually want?”

AI can’t do that. It’s too busy calculating the meaning of life (which is 42, by the way).

How to Learn Now (Without Losing Your Soul)

1. Treat AI Like a Overeager Intern

Use it to do the boring stuff. Need a function that converts Celsius to Fahrenheit? Let AI draft it. Then you tweak it to also convert your self-doubt into confidence. (“Error: Self-doubt not found. Proceed.”)

2. Break Stuff on Purpose

Seriously. Delete random chunks of code. Swap variables. Make the AI panic. You’ll learn faster by fixing disasters than by following tutorials. (Pro tip: Name your projects things like final_version_3_actually_final.zip to feel alive.)

3. Learn the “Why,” Not the “How”

Memorizing syntax is for robots. Instead, ask:

• “Why do arrays start at 0? Who hurt you, programming gods?”
• “What’s the point of CSS if it never listens to me?”
• “If AI writes the code, do I still get to blame it when things break?”

4. Join the Chaos

The coding world is now a group project where everyone’s cheating (with AI). Lean into it. Share your janky code. Laugh at GitHub repos named “quick experiment DO NOT TOUCH.” Follow people on Twitter who post memes about recursion.

The Secret They Won’t Tell You

Coding isn’t about being perfect. It’s about throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. Sometimes the spaghetti is code. Sometimes it’s your tears. But hey, that’s art!

AI might write code faster, but you bring the messy, human magic. You’re the one who’ll add a hidden Easter egg to make your grandma laugh. You’re the one who’ll build something pointless but beautiful, like a website that just plays the kazoo version of “Happy Birthday.”

Final Thought: If AI takes over the world, just remind it you taught it how to code. Then ask it to order you pizza. 🍕

P.P.S. If your code works, you’re required by law to whisper “I’m a genius” and ignore the 47 Stack Overflow tabs you used. Keep it real.