[Self-Reflection] The day I couldn't answer when the AI asked, "Why does this work?"
Hello, this is Tanumaru!
Today, I want to share a moment that struck me while I was developing with an AI agent (Antigravity).
The pitfall of "as long as it works"
I am currently developing a system called "LifeOS Bot" to manage my daily life.
It happened when I asked Antigravity to handle complex date and time processing logic.
He wrote the perfect code in an instant.
The tests passed, and it worked without any issues.
I was about to press the "Adopt" button without hesitation.
That was when I suddenly felt a sense of
"unease." "Hey, what is the logic behind how this process works?"
...I asked myself, but I couldn't answer.
I had just decided it was fine because it happened to be working.
The "thought stoppage" of the AI era tastes like sweet nectar
I think this is actually quite scary.
In the past, I would have researched it myself or asked someone else to "understand it before" moving forward.
But now, I can skip the "thinking" and just enjoy the "results."
An error occurs → Send the log to the AI → A fix is proposed → Apply it
If I keep repeating this loop, I fall into the feeling that I am no longer the "system owner," but just a "person who presses the approval button."
A future where we abandon thinking by saying, "The system calculated it automatically, so I don't know (the details)," might be closer than we think.
The decisive difference between "it works" and "I understand it"
It suddenly occurred to me.
What if I couldn't use AI tomorrow? What if the data disappeared due to an unexpected error?
"I don't know because the AI wrote it" won't cut it.
When data is lost due to a bug, I'm the one who will cry, and I'm the one who will have to take responsibility.
Solution: Don't use AI as an "excuse"
Through this experience, I decided on one rule for myself.
"Can I put my own 'signature' on the output produced by the AI?"
Whether it's code or text created by AI, I will only release it to the world after I have understood the content to the level where I can say, "I take responsibility for this," and can explain it in my own words.
If I slack off on this, I won't be the AI's "boss," but just a mere "user."
In conclusion
AI is an "overly capable partner," but precisely because of that, the human side's "discernment" is being put to the test.
"It must be correct because the AI said so."
Before swallowing that, pause for just a moment and ask, "Why?"
I want to make sure I never let go of that gritty process.
With self-reflection.
Tags: #AI #Development #Programming #Mindset #BuildingInPublic
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