A Non-Programmer's Journey into Tech

AI Tools and the Evolution of Coding

Recently, I came across an article titled "AI and the Evolution of Coding: Will AI Tools Replace Programmers?" It immediately caught my attention because it addresses a fascinating question: Is AI opening new doors for non-traditional tech enthusiasts like me to enter the world of coding?

As someone exploring technology out of pure passion and curiosity, particularly AI and blockchain, I've been experimenting with AI coding tools. Despite having no formal programming background, this journey has been both exciting and enlightening.

AI Coding Tools: Breaking Down Barriers

Tools like GitHub Copilot, Replit, Bolt and Cursor are making programming more accessible by generating code, detecting errors, and helping beginners learn. For someone like me, diving into coding for personal projects, these tools have been invaluable in making complex concepts more approachable.

Let me share a recent experience: I used Replit to create a simple landing page for a personal project - an app aimed at helping people manage anxiety through personalized routines. What started as a straightforward idea quickly became an adventure in learning and discovery. While AI helped with basic code structures, it couldn't fill all the knowledge gaps. Each challenge became a learning opportunity.

The Limitations of AI: Where Creativity Meets Technology

One crucial lesson I've learned is that AI excels at repetitive tasks but can't replace creative problem-solving or contextual understanding. For instance, when trying to implement a customized sorting system for journal entries in my app, I encountered numerous challenges. The AI suggested solutions, but none perfectly aligned with my vision. This experience taught me that AI is a collaborative tool, not a replacement for human creativity.

Learning Through Building: My Personal Experience

As someone exploring tech purely out of interest, these tools have taught me something valuable: they're not a threat but an opportunity for learning and creation. They enable people like me to build things that previously required extensive technical expertise.

This means:

  • Accessibility: You don't need a computer science degree to start building

  • Continuous Learning: Every challenge teaches you more about coding logic

  • Creative Freedom: AI handles technical details while you focus on vision

The Future: Human-AI Collaboration

The most inspiring realization has been understanding that AI isn't here to replace human creativity but to enhance it. For someone taking their first steps in coding, this is incredibly motivating. It's not about mastering AI but working alongside it to bring ideas to life.

Building in Public

My projects:

  • An anxiety management app using React and Firebase

  • Experimenting with AI-driven journaling tools

  • Learning about blockchain technology and crypto AI Agents / Frameworks

  • Developed my own Discord-Bot

  • Creating personal automation tools using N8N, Make and some more.

Key Learnings So Far

  1. Start small, but start somewhere

  2. Use AI tools as learning companions

  3. Focus on solving real problems

  4. Document your journey

  5. Share your learnings with others

Moving Forward

This journey has taught me that it's never too late to explore new interests. You don't need to know everything to begin. AI provides tools, but it's up to us to use them creatively and purposefully.

P.S. For those inspired to start or deepen their coding journey, I've compiled some helpful resources:

AI-assisted coding tools:

Interactive learning platforms:

App development resources:

AI-assisted journaling:

  • Reflectly: AI-powered journaling app

  • Jour: AI-supported journaling for mental health

Blockchain and crypto:

Community support:

  • Stack Overflow: Q&A platform for programmers

  • Dev.to: Community platform for sharing coding experiences

These resources offer valuable starting points for anyone looking to begin or enhance their coding journey. Happy exploring and learning!

What I saw today:

What I listened to today:

What I liked today:

That’s it for today! ☺️

Note: This post reflects my personal learning journey and experiments with technology. These are my own experiences and observations as I explore the fascinating world of tech and AI.

Developed with research and writing assistance using AI.