8 January 2026
Here’s why the answer isn’t so simple. AI can be an amazing tool for coders—but should absolute beginners rely on it?
So, you’ve just dipped your toes into the world of coding—still coming to terms with variables, loops, and the existential dread of debugging. Then someone tells you, “Just use AI, it’ll write the code for you!” Sounds tempting, right?
But here’s why that shiny tool might be more lightsaber than lifesaver.
Imagine giving a Jedi weapon to someone who’s only just mastered the art of stick-fighting. That’s what it’s like handing over AI code generation tools to a beginner. Yes, it’s powerful. Yes, it sounds impressive. But if you don’t yet understand the basics, there’s a real risk of slicing through your logic and confidence.
This isn’t to say you should avoid AI altogether. In fact, it can be an incredible tutor—if you use it the right way. Ask it questions. Explore its answers. Use it to understand concepts like callbacks (which, let’s be honest, sound more like something your ex never gave you). But don’t fall into the trap of copying and pasting code like you’re following a recipe from the internet—because while it might work, you won’t truly know how or why.
AI should be your sidekick, not your saviour.
It’s brilliant when you need a quick fix or to meet a tight deadline. But if your goal is to learn how to code—really learn—then you need to do the thinking. The debugging. The failing and fixing.
Because one day, you’ll face AI-generated code that doesn’t work. And if you’ve skipped the hard stuff, you’ll be stuck—realising, with horror, that the problem isn’t the code. It’s you.
Watch our Lesson Hacker video here to explore more.
For more Lesson Hacker videos, check out the Craig’n’Dave YouTube playlist HERE.
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