The Copilot Delusion
I enjoy watching chess grandmasters who stream their games online.
It is especially fascinating when they encounter an opponent who tries to win by cheating with an AI engine, because a grandmaster always recognizes the difference in gameplay between a human and a machine. A grandmaster's commentary on this sort of thing can sometimes become very colorful – and it is always entertaining.
Writers and developers who have achieved a certain level of mastery in their craft are no different in this regard. If you decide to use an AI agent to cheat in your own writing – in word or in code – then just remember: they'll always know.
Jj writes a fantastic article on this, and I enjoyed it immensely.
The Copilot Delusion
Disclaimer: This post was written May 2025, and the arguments apply to AI code capabilities at this time. The arguments around lack of competence are certainly likely to become less prevalent-while the parts about the desecration of the joys of programming, and fundamental human understanding of programming-are likely to become
Jj