The AI coding divide: craft lovers vs. result chasers
blog.lmorchard.com
March 12, 2026
7 min read
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59/100
Summary
AI-assisted coding is exposing pre-existing divides among developers regarding their motivations and approaches to programming. Personal experiences with grief related to this shift reflect differing perspectives on the value of coding beyond aesthetics.
Key Takeaways
- AI-assisted coding is revealing a divide among developers, distinguishing those who prioritize craftsmanship from those focused on results.
- The introduction of AI tools has compressed the sense of discovery and satisfaction traditionally associated with coding.
- Developers are now faced with a choice: to let machines write code or to continue hand-crafting it, highlighting their underlying motivations.
- The author experienced a personal adjustment to AI tools, finding that their ability to judge code quality and solve puzzles remained intact.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- AI can be leveraged in a way that aligns with craftsmanship, allowing developers to ask targeted questions and deepen their understanding of existing codebases.
- The integration of AI tools can enhance productivity, enabling developers to focus on creative problem-solving rather than mundane coding tasks.
Concerns
- The rush to adopt AI for coding is leading to a neglect of best practices, which could result in significant technical debt and future complications.
- Unreviewed AI-generated code poses risks to correctness and sustainability, potentially undermining the quality of software development.
