Don’t learn to code, learn to think
Coding and AI are the two buzzwords everyone can’t get enough of. You may be scrolling through a tech newsletter that you don’t even know when you signed up for or watching the latest tech conference highlights, and the one thing that pops up everywhere is the AI disguised as a gladiator waiting to take over every coder’s job. But are things really that dramatic? Before thinking AI is the enemy, please understand that AI isn’t here to take your place. It’s here to be a powerful tool that can amplify your productivity, creativity, and efficiency. But, like every tool, its value depends on how you use it.
The catch?
You’ve got to know how to use it without letting it use you.
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This course teaches you to become a productive and professional software developer by leveraging AI Coding Assistant for hands-on experience in industry-relevant workflows. You will start by generating code for basic tasks like writing functions, then advance to creating entire classes, and finally select the appropriate data structures and algorithms to solve problems. As you progress, you’ll tackle real-world scenarios, including using AI for code generation through writing prompts for AI code generation, debugging, testing, and explaining code. The course also covers both procedural programming and object-oriented programming principles. Ultimately, you’ll learn to utilize Python libraries AI assistant for continuous growth and improvement, preparing you for a future-proof career in software development with AI as your collaborative coding partner.
AI in coding: Two roads, one choice#
Let’s say you’re at a crossroads (metaphorical, of course). On one side, there’s the path of passivity and dependence. Let’s call it the harmful way. Conversely, there’s the road of growth and empowerment—the fruitful way. Which one you take makes all the difference, or as Robert Frost puts it:
“The road not taken made all the difference.”
The harmful way#
The harmful path is tempting because it’s the easy one. It’s where you let AI take the reins entirely, doing the work for you while you fade into the background. What happens is:
The autopilot coder#
If, as a developer, you are just going to let AI take the steering wheel on your work, then essentially, you’re just another worker on autopilot. This is where you lose the essence of creativity and individuality. Your work gets done, but no real engagement, growth, or learning happens. You’re simply following instructions, letting AI dictate the outcome, and checking off tasks without questioning or improving the system. Over time, this approach drains any sense of purpose, turning you into a replaceable part of a much larger machine.
The middleman#
When AI generates the content, and you pass it along without adding your insights or expertise, you are no more than a messenger- your only job is to relay information from point A to point B. Sure, it’s efficient, but where’s the value you bring? By relying solely on AI’s outputs, you miss the opportunity to shape the code with your unique perspective. Over time, this diminishes your professional identity, as well as your self-esteem and value.
The passive scroller#
When AI feeds a developer all the information, and they take it in without engaging with it meaningfully, it is quite similar to scrolling through social media. All developers should beware of using the tools without questioning how they can improve them. Over time, this habit stifles curiosity and critical thinking, leaving them dependent on AI for even the simplest tasks.
The result?
You become a replaceable part of the massive, automated machinery in the digital age. And let’s be real for a solid second: no one wants to feel interchangeable.
The fruitful way#
This is the road where the real magic happens.
The trick is using AI to amplify your abilities. On this path, you evolve into someone who works with technology rather than being overshadowed by it, which turns the coder into:
The big-picture visionary#
When you approach coding with a strategic mindset, you see how all the parts fit together at a system and design stage. As a coder, you learn to balance the details with the bigger picture, spotting opportunities and addressing inefficiencies that others might miss. Complex challenges become opportunities for innovation as you connect the dots across different components and systems.
Master integrator#
Combining diverse tools, ideas, and technologies to create solutions by weaving them into functional software architecture makes systems shine. APIs, libraries, frameworks, and platforms are no longer standalone elements—they’re parts of a greater whole that you’ve expertly pieced together.
The problem-solver#
A big part of being a coder is utilizing creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking to tackle challenges. AI can help them, but it can’t replace the human touch. Instead of relying solely on AI-generated answers, coders must analyze root causes and craft innovative solutions. By combining logic, creativity, and critical thinking, they can devise effective, unique solutions that even the smartest AI can’t better. Over time, the approach positions coders as a leader in innovation. In the age of AI, problem solvers will be in more demand than ever.
The lifelong learner#
The tech world evolves quickly, and by staying curious, asking questions, and diving into new tools or trends, coders stay ahead of the curve. When you approach your career with the curiosity of a lifelong learner, you thrive in it.
This is the path where you stop being a passive observer and become an active player in the game.
According to the
Why learn to think?#
Coding is a transformative way of thinking. It equips us with tools to shape how we approach challenges, opportunities, and even life itself. Fundamentally, coding teaches us how to think, which defines us as humans.
To be a thinking citizen, we need the ability to see the bigger picture, connect ideas, solve problems, and embrace creativity. Coding sharpens these characteristics.
It encourages systems thinking— where every challenge becomes a part of a larger, interconnected system.
It nurtures integration— where seemingly unrelated elements can combine to create something extraordinary.
It hones critical problem-solving skills, helping us tackle issues with clarity and innovation. And it unlocks creativity, giving us the freedom to build, express, and innovate.
When we begin learning to code, we aren’t just picking up a skill—we are safeguarding and expanding our identity as thinkers, creators, and problem solvers.
The world evolves with new technologies and challenges. Coding ensures we stay adaptable, curious, and ahead of the curve.
After all, to code is to think. And to think is what makes us human.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, said in an interview with Emily Chang for Bloomsberg Original that kids should learn to code. In his experience, “learning to code was great as a way to learn how to think.”
Future of coding: Powered by AI#
In a world increasingly driven by AI, learning to code is about equipping yourself with a mindset that helps you adapt, innovate, and grow.
Coding teaches you to think deeply, act systematically, and contribute meaningfully to a world where technology and humanity intersect.
So, if you’re waiting for a sign, consider this your green light.
Start learn to code!
Embrace the chaos.
And remember, while Generative AI might be brilliant, you must guard your creativity, intuition, and even humanity.
That’s your superpower.
After all, who doesn’t love a superhero—even if it’s in the world of coding?
Become a Python Developer
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