Overview
Chris Ashworth, creator of QLab theater automation software, describes his experience using Claude to build a custom lighting design application in just a few days. Despite being initially skeptical of AI for two years, he now sees AI as a career-changing programming tool that enables creating polished applications for niche audiences that would never justify the time investment otherwise.
The Breakdown
- AI doesn’t fundamentally improve programming skills - it amplifies existing abilities, making good programmers faster at creating good programs while bad programmers just produce bad code more quickly
- The technology enables building viable applications for tiny audiences - Ashworth created a polished lighting app for just 3 people in a few days, something that would never be economically justifiable with traditional development
- Responsible AI-assisted programming requires human oversight and code comprehension - Ashworth emphasizes the danger of shipping code you don’t understand and the importance of being able to direct, edit, and quality-control AI output
- AI programming tools function like power tools for experienced developers - they dramatically increase productivity when used by someone who understands the craft, but can be dangerous in untrained hands