How to Keep Your Skills Sharp in the AI Era?

I keep myself up to date with a feed reader that tracks all the latest trends and developments. To avoid skill atrophy, I make sure to keep practicing and applying what I learn just like I always have. AI is just another tool in the toolbox; it can either help or hinder, depending on how you use it.

I've been developing for two decades and mainly use language models to help me access summarized info quickly. I don’t rely on them to write code for me or complete projects. Sure, they’re handy for whipping up quick prototypes, but I wouldn’t let one take the reins entirely—especially since, in software development, maintenance costs can soar if you hand off a project to an AI. I still learn the old-fashioned way by exploring websites, watching presentations, and digging into books.

Why avoid using AI altogether? It can be really effective for specific tasks like troubleshooting, searching, or other focused, low-context jobs. There's a lot a skilled developer can gain by leveraging AI where it makes sense!

I just don’t dive into AI tools at all. I started web development because I enjoy the craft. For me, it's all about hands-on experience and figuring things out myself, rather than letting a machine handle it.