On Making

A personal reflection on the meaning of 'making' things in the age of AI code generation. The author, a veteran developer and CS instructor, explores why he can't claim credit for AI-generated work the same way he can for code he writes by hand. Using examples of AI-generated sci-fi, artwork, game code, and a real deck built by contractors, he draws a distinction between making something yourself versus directing others (human or AI) to make it for you. He also wrestles with the philosophical gray area around compilers and tools versus AI assistants, ultimately concluding that prompting an AI feels more like managing a report than wielding a hammer, and that this distinction matters deeply to his sense of fulfillment and pride in his work.