CoRecursive: Coding Stories – Episode Summary Title: When AI Codes, What’s Left for Me? Host: Adam Gordon Bell Release Date: July 2, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "When AI Codes, What’s Left for Me?", Adam Gordon Bell delves into the evolving landscape of software development in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Rather than subscribing to the alarmist narratives of AI replacing developers or dismissing AI as overhyped, Adam presents a nuanced perspective on how AI coding agents are reshaping the developer community and individual identities tied to coding.

Adam’s Early Life and Passion for Coding

Adam begins by sharing his upbringing on a small farm, painting a vivid picture of his childhood devoid of immediate neighbors and filled with solitary pursuits like reading pulp fiction in the garage attic and later, immersing himself in early computer games like Duke Nukem at the tender age of eight. This foundational experience ignited his lifelong passion for technology and coding.

[00:00] Adam Gordon Bell: "From hitting enter to that explosion of color and sound, I was hooked. The computer was both a lifeline and also the most fascinating thing I had ever seen."

Navigating the Developer Community

After pursuing computer science in college, Adam found himself somewhat of an outsider, not fully fitting into the stereotypical nerd culture prevalent among his peers. However, his move to a startup in San Francisco exposed him to a community of like-minded individuals who shared his eclectic interests in languages like Haskell, game development with Unity, and innovative authors like Ted Chiang and Greg Egan. This sense of belonging was transformative, helping Adam realize his true identity as a builder and creator.

[00:10] Adam Gordon Bell: "After years of feeling like an outsider, it felt like home."

The Rise of AI Coding Agents

As of mid-2025, Adam observes a palpable division within the developer community regarding the adoption of AI coding agents such as Cursor, Claude, and others. Some developers are enthusiastic, sharing updates about their projects enhanced by AI, while others criticize these tools for producing unreliable code and fostering laziness among developers.

[09:35] Adam Gordon Bell: "It feels like the clubhouse turned into a battleground between this changes everything and this ruins everything."

Despite the skepticism, Adam maintains a pragmatic stance, viewing AI tools as beneficial extensions that can amplify a developer's ability to create and innovate rather than replace the creative process itself.

Personal Experiences with AI Tools

Adam recounts various projects where AI coding agents played a pivotal role. One notable example is his creation of a markdown parser and a web app that ranks other coding podcasts. These projects not only saved him time but also allowed him to explore complex problems that would have been daunting to tackle alone.

[27:00] Adam Gordon Bell: "When done correctly, working with AI feels like pairing with a teammate who brings different strengths to the table."

He emphasizes the collaborative nature of AI tools, comparing them to chess engines that enhance rather than overshadow human strategic thinking.

Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change

A significant portion of the episode addresses the fear of skill atrophy among developers. Adam acknowledges that while AI tools can handle repetitive and tedious tasks, the core drive to build and solve problems remains intrinsic to developers. He encourages his peers to view AI as an opportunity to expand their capabilities and tackle more ambitious projects.

[20:45] Adam Gordon Bell: "The urge to build these side projects and experiments that I love to create, it's just part of who I am. And AI can't take that away from me. But maybe it can help me."

Practical Advice for Developers

Adam offers actionable advice for developers hesitant to adopt AI coding agents:

1. Treat AI Tools as Learning Experiments: Approach AI assistants as partners to explore and understand new programming paradigms.

2. Start Small: Begin with manageable projects or tasks to build familiarity and comfort with AI capabilities.

3. Collaborative Pair Programming: Use AI agents as junior programmers to assist in writing, debugging, and refining code collaboratively.

[39:15] Adam Gordon Bell: "Working with an LM is like pairing with somebody who's brilliant at some things and clueless at others."

4. Utilize AI for Documentation and Codebase Exploration: Leverage AI to generate documentation or navigate complex codebases more efficiently.

Addressing Common Criticisms

Adam doesn't shy away from acknowledging the limitations of current AI coding tools. He discusses instances where AI-generated code may be inefficient or require multiple iterations to achieve desired results. However, he reframes these challenges as part of the natural collaborative process between humans and AI, similar to working with a human teammate.

[44:30] Adam Gordon Bell: "The same would happen if I were designing something with a colleague. But a real risk with these tools is skill atrophy."

The Future of AI in Development

Looking ahead, Adam envisions a synergistic future where AI tools significantly enhance the scale and complexity of projects developers can undertake. He stresses that the fundamental satisfaction derived from building and creating remains unchanged, even as the tools evolve.

[57:50] Adam Gordon Bell: "The core of what makes someone good at building software hasn't changed. It's just that now you can have this powerful partner that can help out in the process."

Conclusion

Adam Gordon Bell wraps up the episode by reiterating his belief in the enduring spirit of builders within the developer community. He acknowledges the fears and criticisms surrounding AI coding agents but remains optimistic about their potential to augment human creativity and problem-solving capabilities. Adam encourages listeners to experiment with these tools, embrace the learning curve, and continue nurturing the intrinsic joy of building that defines great developers.

[1:10:00] Adam Gordon Bell: "The tools have changed, but the joy hasn't. It's still this great, fun, iterative process. And honestly, that's amazing."

Key Takeaways

• AI as a Collaborative Partner: AI coding agents should be viewed as tools that enhance a developer's ability to create, not replace the creative process.

• Embracing Change: Developers should overcome fears related to skill atrophy by integrating AI tools into their workflow as learning and collaborative partners.

• Pragmatic Approach: A balanced perspective that recognizes both the strengths and limitations of AI tools fosters a more productive and innovative development environment.

• Continued Passion for Building: Regardless of technological advancements, the fundamental drive to build and solve problems remains central to a developer's identity.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Passion Ignited by Early Coding:

  "[00:00] Adam Gordon Bell: From hitting enter to that explosion of color and sound, I was hooked."

• Sense of Belonging in Developer Community:

  "[00:10] Adam Gordon Bell: After years of feeling like an outsider, it felt like home."

• Division Over AI Tools:

  "[09:35] Adam Gordon Bell: It feels like the clubhouse turned into a battleground between this changes everything and this ruins everything."

• AI as a Collaborative Partner:

  "[27:00] Adam Gordon Bell: When done correctly, working with AI feels like pairing with a teammate who brings different strengths to the table."

• Overcoming Fear of Skill Atrophy:

  "[20:45] Adam Gordon Bell: The urge to build these side projects and experiments that I love to create, it's just part of who I am. And AI can't take that away from me. But maybe it can help me."

• Future Vision:

  "[57:50] Adam Gordon Bell: The core of what makes someone good at building software hasn't changed. It's just that now you can have this powerful partner that can help out in the process."

• Enduring Joy of Building:

  "[1:10:00] Adam Gordon Bell: The tools have changed, but the joy hasn't. It's still this great, fun, iterative process. And honestly, that's amazing."

Final Thoughts

Adam Gordon Bell's introspective and balanced discussion offers valuable insights into the integration of AI tools in software development. By blending personal anecdotes with practical advice, he provides a roadmap for developers navigating the evolving technological landscape. Whether you're a skeptic or an enthusiast, this episode serves as a thoughtful exploration of the future of coding in tandem with AI.