Is using AI tools such as Copilot a bad idea for beginner programmers?

[Prathamb6]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

💬 Feature/Topic Area

Copilot in GitHub

Body

What would be your main reasons to avoid the use of any AI tool when you're learning how to code?

[github-actions[bot]]

💬 Your Product Feedback Has Been Submitted 🎉

Thank you for taking the time to share your insights with us! Your feedback is invaluable as we build a better GitHub experience for all our users.

Here's what you can expect moving forward ⏩

• Your input will be carefully reviewed and cataloged by members of our product teams. 
  • Due to the high volume of submissions, we may not always be able to provide individual responses.
  • Rest assured, your feedback will help chart our course for product improvements.
• Other users may engage with your post, sharing their own perspectives or experiences. 
• GitHub staff may reach out for further clarification or insight. 
  • We may 'Answer' your discussion if there is a current solution, workaround, or roadmap/changelog post related to the feedback.

Where to look to see what's shipping 👀

• Read the Changelog for real-time updates on the latest GitHub features, enhancements, and calls for feedback.
• Explore our Product Roadmap, which details upcoming major releases and initiatives.

What you can do in the meantime 💻

• Upvote and comment on other user feedback Discussions that resonate with you.
• Add more information at any point! Useful details include: use cases, relevant labels, desired outcomes, and any accompanying screenshots.

As a member of the GitHub community, your participation is essential. While we can't promise that every suggestion will be implemented, we want to emphasize that your feedback is instrumental in guiding our decisions and priorities.

Thank you once again for your contribution to making GitHub even better! We're grateful for your ongoing support and collaboration in shaping the future of our platform. ⭐

[Mohdsohil2005]

I don't think using AI tools like Copilot is a bad idea for beginner programmers. The important thing is how you use them.

When you're learning, it's better to first try solving a problem yourself and understand the concepts behind your code. If you get stuck, Copilot can be useful for explaining errors, suggesting approaches, or showing alternative implementations.

The main risk is becoming dependent on AI and accepting generated code without understanding it. That can make it difficult to debug problems or build something independently later.

A good approach is to use AI as a learning assistant rather than a replacement for learning. Try to write the solution yourself first, use Copilot when you're stuck, and then read and understand every part of the generated code.

In my opinion, AI can actually help beginners learn faster when it is used to understand concepts rather than simply generate code.

[ErikSeiter]

Based on my own experience as a developer, I wouldn’t tell beginners to avoid AI tools. Copilot can be very useful for explaining errors, suggesting approaches, or helping when you get stuck.

The risk is accepting generated code without understanding it. Something may work, but you still need to know why it works and be able to test, change, and debug it yourself.

My advice is to try solving the problem first, then use AI as a tutor or a second pair of eyes. If you cannot explain the code it generates, you probably haven’t learned from it yet.