AI Coding is Gambling

A product designer and developer reflects on the psychological experience of using AI coding tools, comparing it to gambling. While AI can generate plausible-looking code quickly, the author argues it strips away the most rewarding parts of coding — the problem-solving, the clever fixes, and the deep engagement with one's own codebase. The addictive pull-to-refresh loop of AI code generation feels hollow, and the author questions whether it's making them a better developer or just a more confident gambler.