Reflections on AI-assisted Programming

· Yihui Xie · May 3, 2026, 10:55 p.m.
Summary
The author reflects on their experiences with AI-assisted programming, particularly using GitHub Copilot to create a Rust-based R package. They discuss the productivity gains and challenges of AI tools in software development, examining the personal insights gained from automation and the ethical implications of using AI-generated code. The author expresses a mix of excitement and concern about the future of software development and AI's role in it.
AUTHOR
Sponsored
Zulip logo Zulip
Organized team chat for people who take work seriously. Topic-based threading keeps conversations focused.
Try Zulip
Become a sponsor →