Generative AI is becoming a part of the daily workflow for software developers. In the latest episode of Stories from the Hackery, we connect with Spencer Sharpe and Jack Parsons, both graduates of Nashville Software School’s (NSS) Full-time Web Developer Bootcamp who share insightful perspectives on how generative AI is making them more productive and handling mundane tasks.
Spencer and Jack, who both made their journey from musicians to lead developers, shed light on how they've harnessed the power of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot in their current roles. Spencer, who moved to Nashville pursuing music before pivoting to tech, emphasizes the transformative impact of AI: "GitHub Copilot is my must-have...It’s the ultimate super boost. It definitely speeds up [typing by predicting what you’re gonna do next].." The ability to automate routine coding tasks is becoming a valuable asset, freeing developers to tackle more complex problems.
Jack enthusiastically shares his experiences as a lead developer in consultancy: " It's the whole idea of automating the parts of your job that are just boilerplate. They're stuff you know you need to do. You know exactly how to do them. But man, is it boring to do it. I would much rather spend my time solving a real problem than let me write this unit test ."
Their discussion also delves into the quality of the code generated by LLMs. Both Spencer and Jack recognize the limitations and challenges, agreeing that providing detailed context is crucial for generative AI, just as it is for humans. As Spencer notes, "AI doesn’t know the context of what you’re doing."
Training the next generation of developers remains important. Spencer advises, "I would expect juniors to know how to use these tools... It's the best rubber ducking tool we've ever had." Jack echoes this sentiment, stressing the importance of critical thinking and understanding among new developers: "At the end of the day, a human being is still going to be the best person to answer those sort of ‘why did you make this choice’ questions."
As generative AI continues to reshape the tech landscape, Spencer and Jack's insights highlight the importance of adapting to tools and technology without losing sight of the essential human elements that drive innovation and problem-solving.
For more perspectives and detailed discussions, tune into NSS's Stories from the Hackery podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred streaming platform.
SHOW NOTES
00:00 Introduction to Stories from the Hackery
00:37 Meet the Guests: Spencer Sharpe and Jack Parsons
02:34 Musical Backgrounds and Career Shifts
9:52 Generative AI Tools and Productivity
17:31 Generative AI for Unit Testing
19:21 Quality and Context in AI-Generated Code
29:12 AI in Code Review
29:29 The Required Human Element
31:53 Training and Assessing Junior Developers
37:52 Resources for Learning to Use Generative AI
42:18 Advice for Aspiring Tech Professionals
44:06 The Future of Software Engineering
50:33 Technology Guilty Pleasures
52:19 Final Thoughts
Links from the show
How are NSS Alumni Using Generative AI Tools on the Job (Survey 2024)
