Why I'm Quitting AI Coding Assistants Like GitHub Copilot & Cursor AI (and What It Means for Developer Productivity)

1. My Journey with AI Coding Assistants

Over the past few years — starting from the technical preview of GitHub Copilot in mid-2022 — I've been relying heavily on AI coding assistants like Cursor AI and GitHub Copilot. These tools are brilliant at what they do: suggesting code, completing functions, and even solving entire problems with minimal input from me.

At first, it felt like magic — I could move faster, write cleaner code, and boost my developer productivity while spending less time on repetitive tasks.

2. How GitHub Copilot and Cursor AI Changed My Workflow

Over time, especially in this new “AI Agents” era, I started noticing something off — and Agent mode just made it worse.

I started losing focus while coding. Instead of really working through a problem, I’d just wait for the AI assistant to hand me a solution. I wasn’t unpacking algorithms in my head like before, and my drive to explore different solutions started slipping. Basically, I was outsourcing not just the typing, but the thinking.

These AI tools are awesome, but I could feel them making me lazy. They were turning into a crutch, not a helper. I even tried switching off Agent mode and sticking to Ask mode in chat — but it didn’t fix the problem.

3. The ADHD Factor: Why AI Tools Can Be Risky

I am diagnosed with ADHD, and I believe AI coding assistants make the situation more dangerous for developers like me. Tools like these can amplify focus issues, making it even harder to stay engaged with the work.

Main Risks of Overusing AI Coding Assistants

• Increased distraction 🚧: It’s easier to drift away from the problem when you’re waiting for AI to suggest the next step.
• Weakened problem-solving skills 🧩: Less mental effort spent figuring things out.
• Lower confidence 😕: Relying on AI too much can make you doubt your own abilities.
• Reduced creativity 🎨: AI often suggests the “standard” approach, which can limit exploration of new ideas.

4. Why I’m Taking a Break (For Now)

I decided to stop using AI coding assistants — at least for now. I want to rebuild my problem-solving muscles, rediscover the joy of debugging, and force myself to think deeply about every function, every loop, every design choice.

I'm definitely not anti-AI. I use other tools like ChatGPT a lot for different purposes, and I will come back to AI coding assistants, but with prepared rules on how to use them effectively for developer productivity.

For now, I want to be the one doing the thinking, not an algorithm.

5. Final Thoughts on Developer Productivity Without AI

Sometimes, slowing down is the fastest way to grow. Taking a step back from AI coding assistants has already made me more intentional, more focused, and more in control of my craft.

💬 Have you ever tried taking a break from AI coding tools? Did it make you a better developer?