AI coding tools are incredible — and also wildly overhyped. Here's an honest take from someone who uses them daily.
What AI Does Well
Boilerplate code (API endpoints, CRUD operations, test files). Debugging error messages. Explaining unfamiliar code. Converting between languages. Writing regex patterns. Generating documentation.
What AI Still Struggles With
Complex business logic that requires domain knowledge. Architecture decisions (it'll suggest patterns but can't evaluate tradeoffs for YOUR system). Security — AI-generated code frequently has subtle vulnerabilities. Performance optimization beyond obvious improvements.
The Sweet Spot
Use AI as a fast first draft generator, not as a replacement for thinking. Write the pseudocode yourself, let AI fill in the syntax. Review every line — AI doesn't understand your codebase's conventions, edge cases, or security requirements.
Try our AI code assistant for quick code generation and debugging help. It's free, instant, and doesn't require installing IDE extensions.