Am I hampering my development skills by using AI tools?

It seems you're facing a common beginner hurdle. Getting your script to run locally is a big accomplishment! Just remember that if you can't progress without AI, it might be worth stepping back to solidify your foundational skills without relying on it.

You’re utilizing AI correctly! Many experienced developers generate tons of their code using AI but still understand the concepts behind it. It’s crucial to read and comprehend what it generates and ensure you know how to tweak and debug it in the future.

It sounds like you're using AI as a learning tool, which can be a good thing. As long as you're not just copy-pasting and you're actually trying to understand the output, you're on the right track. Just make sure you’re also experimenting and figuring things out independently when you can!

Honestly, relying too much on AI might not be great for learning. It's important to struggle with concepts yourself sometimes. Think of it like practicing a musical instrument: in practice mode, you’ll work through mistakes, while performance mode is where you shine during a show. Use AI as a tool, but also challenge yourself to solve problems without it.

You didn’t do anything wrong by asking for AI help. However, using the REPL for large blocks of code isn't ideal; it’s better for quick tests. I recommend using an IDE like PyCharm instead. And when you're stuck, try checking out the official Python documentation—it’s great for deepening your understanding.