Honestly not sure it is easier to learn coding today than before. In theory maybe but in reality 99% of people will use AI as a crutch - half or learning is when you have to struggle a bit with something. If all the answers are always in front of you it will be harder to learn. I know it would be hard for me to learn if I could just ask for the code all the time.

It is but requires discipline.

I've been coding for 15 years but I find I'm able to learn new languages and concepts faster by asking questions to ChatGPT.

It takes discipline. I have to turn off cursor tab when doing coding exercises. I have to take the time to ask questions and follow-up questions.

But yes I worry it's too easy to use AI as a crutch

It's much, much, much easier.

I've been coding for decades already, but if I need to put something together in an unfamiliar language? I can just ask AI about any stupid noob mistake I make.

It knows every single stupid noob mistake, it knows every "how do I sort an array", and it explains well, with examples. Like StackOverflow on steroids.

The caveat is that you need to WANT to learn. If you don't, then not learning is easier than ever too.

> I've been coding for decades already, but if I need to put something together in an unfamiliar language? I can just ask AI about any stupid noob mistake I make.

So you aren’t still learning foundational concepts or how to think about problems, you are using it as a translation tool. Very different, in my opinion.

And yet it's not used that way in the vast majority of cases. Most people don't want to learn. They want to get a result quickly, and move on.

There is a difference between pulling up a ladder and people choosing not to climb it.

I agree with you - I learned to program because I found it fascinating, and wanted to know how my computer worked, not because it was the only option available to me at the time...

There are always people willing to take shortcuts at long-term expense. Frankly I'm fine with the selection pressure changing in our industry. Those who want to learn will still find a way to do it.