I've been learning programming for the last five months using AI and tutorials, but I still struggle with backend coding without AI's help. My concern is that if I rely on AI to write code and it teaches me, how can I ever become better than AI, which seems to write better code? Even my projects have been improved by AI suggestions. How can I become better and gain real-world experience when I feel outpaced by AI?
5 Answers
If you can't code without AI, your job prospects might be limited right now. The key is to learn to code independently first. Avoid AI for a bit and try to solve problems on your own; that hands-on experience is crucial.
Honestly, five months isn't a long time in programming, and you're doing well by learning backend coding with some help. Stick with it and give yourself time to grasp the core concepts and some mathematical foundations. Everything takes practice!
If AI isn't contributing to your learning, consider switching to traditional resources like textbooks and comprehensive tutorials. Sometimes, the best way to learn is the old-school way!
Don't let AI get in your head too much. It's not infallible; it learns from existing code, which can be flawed. Trust your own process—if you focus solely on AI suggestions without understanding your code, you'll miss out on essential learning. It's about growth, not just results.
I lack confidence in my code because I always feel there's a better way to do it, especially since AI shows me 'improvements'. How do I overcome that?
AI will always suggest ways to 'improve' your work, but the more you learn, the better you’ll understand which suggestions actually matter. Eventually, you'll start orchestrating your projects more strategically rather than just coding. That's where the real shift happens—moving from a coder to an architect who thinks about systems and overall design.
Could you explain more about this architect role and how it relates to using AI?

I've been studying computer science and web concepts, and it gets frustrating not having a CS degree. How do I even start gaining experience for jobs?