Artificial intelligence may be boosting productivity in workplaces, but not everyone is enjoying the shift. A software developer's candid post on Reddit has sparked a wider conversation about how AI is changing the nature of programming jobs and even affecting people's ability to learn and think independently.

The developer wrote that coding no longer feels enjoyable after the rise of AI tools. "I don't feel like a developer anymore. I don't like the job anymore. It's not fun anymore," the user said, recalling how programmers earlier spent hours searching through websites and documentation to find solutions.

The techie added that while companies are increasingly pushing developers to use AI for writing code, hiring processes still expect candidates to demonstrate traditional coding skills. "Almost forgot how to write code, only knows what needs to be implemented in projects," the post read, adding that AI has made it possible for almost anyone to work across UI, backend and DevOps tasks.

The post resonated with many users who said the impact of AI extends beyond software development.

One Reddit user said AI-powered tools and search engines have made people mentally lazy. "Anytime I have to search for something, I use ChatGPT to get direct answers," the person wrote, adding that they miss the curiosity and deep learning habits they had during their school years.

Another user admitted that AI had changed their relationship with programming but said they had adapted. "I really loved programming before AI. After going through the same dilemma, I just changed my mindset. I focus on earning money," the comment read.

Some users suggested practical ways to maintain coding skills. One person recommended having a dedicated "No AI Friday" and avoiding AI tools for an entire day to keep problem-solving abilities sharp.

Others argued that AI should be treated as a learning assistant rather than a replacement for understanding code.

A mid-senior developer with 15 years of experience said they now prefer coding with AI but make sure to understand every suggestion before accepting it. The user explained that their AI coding assistant is configured to "educate first and then act."

The developer also suggested that the anxiety many engineers feel may come from relying on AI-generated code without fully understanding it. "If you did not write the code, you don't know how it works and how you will explain it in interviews for future jobs," the user wrote.

The discussion highlights a growing debate in the tech industry: Is AI making developers more productive, or is it slowly taking away the joy and craftsmanship that once defined programming? For many engineers, the answer appears to be a mix of both.