How to outsmart AI as a developer: Tricks & tips to win

"Will AI take my job?" If you ask me that is a wrong question. The right one should be “ Can I outsmart AI?” Tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and other AI-powered assistants handling tasks from debugging to writing boilerplate code, may bring the feeling that there will be fewer jobs for developers. But here's the truth: developers who learn to work with AI, rather than against it, will thrive in this new era. In the long run, AI will not replace you, it will enhance your abilities. Let’s break down why your job as a developer is not only safe but about to become more dynamic, impactful, and valuable than ever before. Historical perspective: Tech changes that shaped development forever Throughout software development, certain technological advancements have radically changed the industry. These industry shits weren’t just incremental, they completely transformed how developers think, work, and create. Here’s a look at some of the pivotal shifts that paved the way for today’s AI revolution: Version Control Systems The introduction of version control tools like Git and SVN was revolutionary. Developers moved from difficult manual file-sharing methods to collaborative workflows where teams could simultaneously write, review, and merge code. Impact: Boosted collaboration in open-source and enterprise projects. Made practices like Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) feasible. Cloud computing Services like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud eliminated the need for developers to manage physical servers. Impact: Allowed for scalable application hosting. Introduced infrastructure as code (IaC), creating a bridge between development and operations (DevOps). JavaScript frameworks The rise of frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js revolutionized front-end development. Impact: Standardized front-end architectures. Help developers to create dynamic, interactive user interfaces. Headless CMS Headless content management systems, decoupled content creation from its presentation. Migrating from traditional CMS to headless CMS had a huge impact not only on content teams but also on devs: Allowed developers to deliver omnichannel digital experiences. Streamlined workflows by using APIs for dynamic content delivery. Programming Languages Each era of development brought new languages that redefined how software was built: C enabled low-level system programming with portability. Java introduced cross-platform development with its "write once, run anywhere" philosophy. Python and Ruby simplified scripting and web development, inspiring frameworks like Django and Ruby on Rails. Modern web development relies on JavaScript, which started out as a browser scripting language. What about AI-powered tools? As you can see from the examples mentioned above, new technologies don’t eliminate the need for expertise, they enhance it. AI tools are not designed to “think” like developers but to assist them in repetitive tasks, freeing up time for complex problem-solving. Want to know how to make artificial intelligence your ally? Here are some strategies. Strategies to Outsmart AI in development Rather than fearing AI, use it as a collaborator. Here’s how: Outsmart AI by using it as a coding assistant Use tools like GitHub Copilot to: Automate routine coding tasks (writing boilerplate code). Converting Figma designs to code. Catch common bugs in real-time. Generate suggestions for optimizing algorithms. Build prototypes faster with AI-generated code snippets.

Mar 19, 2025 - 16:21

How to outsmart AI as a developer: Tricks & tips to win

"Will AI take my job?"

If you ask me that is a wrong question. The right one should be “ Can I outsmart AI?”

Tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and other AI-powered assistants handling tasks from debugging to writing boilerplate code, may bring the feeling that there will be fewer jobs for developers.
But here's the truth: developers who learn to work with AI, rather than against it, will thrive in this new era.

In the long run, AI will not replace you, it will enhance your abilities.
Let’s break down why your job as a developer is not only safe but about to become more dynamic, impactful, and valuable than ever before.

Historical perspective: Tech changes that shaped development forever

Throughout software development, certain technological advancements have radically changed the industry. These industry shits weren’t just incremental, they completely transformed how developers think, work, and create.

Here’s a look at some of the pivotal shifts that paved the way for today’s AI revolution:

Version Control Systems

The introduction of version control tools like Git and SVN was revolutionary. Developers moved from difficult manual file-sharing methods to collaborative workflows where teams could simultaneously write, review, and merge code.

Impact:

Boosted collaboration in open-source and enterprise projects.
Made practices like Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) feasible.

Cloud computing

Services like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud eliminated the need for developers to manage physical servers.

Impact:

Allowed for scalable application hosting.
Introduced infrastructure as code (IaC), creating a bridge between development and operations (DevOps).

JavaScript frameworks

The rise of frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js revolutionized front-end development.

Impact:

Standardized front-end architectures.
Help developers to create dynamic, interactive user interfaces.

Headless CMS

Headless content management systems, decoupled content creation from its presentation.

Migrating from traditional CMS to headless CMS had a huge impact not only on content teams but also on devs:

Allowed developers to deliver omnichannel digital experiences.
Streamlined workflows by using APIs for dynamic content delivery.

Programming Languages

Each era of development brought new languages that redefined how software was built:

C enabled low-level system programming with portability.
Java introduced cross-platform development with its "write once, run anywhere" philosophy.
Python and Ruby simplified scripting and web development, inspiring frameworks like Django and Ruby on Rails.
Modern web development relies on JavaScript, which started out as a browser scripting language.

What about AI-powered tools?

As you can see from the examples mentioned above, new technologies don’t eliminate the need for expertise, they enhance it. AI tools are not designed to “think” like developers but to assist them in repetitive tasks, freeing up time for complex problem-solving.

Want to know how to make artificial intelligence your ally? Here are some strategies.

Strategies to Outsmart AI in development

Rather than fearing AI, use it as a collaborator. Here’s how:

Outsmart AI by using it as a coding assistant

Use tools like GitHub Copilot to:

Automate routine coding tasks (writing boilerplate code).
Converting Figma designs to code.
Catch common bugs in real-time.
Generate suggestions for optimizing algorithms.
Build prototypes faster with AI-generated code snippets.