The Hidden Cost of AI Programming (and How to Use It Mindfully)

“AI didn’t break your code. You just trusted it too much.” AI tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT are changing how we write software. You type a comment… and suddenly a full function appears. Feels magical. Feels fast. Feels productive. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: AI can quietly make you a worse engineer if you’re not careful. This isn’t anti-AI. I use it every day. This is about using AI like a senior engineer, not like autocomplete on steroids. The Bad Side of AI Programming 1. You S