Artificial (Ignorance) Intelligence
DOG In theory, handing tasks off to coding agents should free up time, allowing larger blocks for deep work and rest. But some developers are having the opposite experience. Instead of allowing for greater focus, the latest AI tools are overwhelming workers, frazzling minds and shredding attention spans. Although agents can do plenty more work now than they could a year ago, they still need human oversight. Like toddlers, AI agents ask endless follow-up questions, require detailed instructions—and, if you leave them unsupervised, are liable to make a huge mess. Once you get several running simultaneously, there’s no time for breaks. As “the author” puts it on LinkedIn, his job is to be an “AI babysitter.” As most people who use AI know, the above is general practice, something like owning a new puppy. Fun, if you’re into this sort of thing and just as messy without continual guidance. Is AI worth the effort?