How AI is Changing the Way I Build Software

I’ve been building software for a while now — everything from tiny side projects to full-scale apps. And if there’s one truth I’ve learned, it’s this:

The most important skill for a builder isn’t coding. It’s getting unstuck.

When I started out, I had ideas but no roadmap. I didn’t know how to code, design, market, or ship a product. And when I got stuck — which happened a lot — progress would grind to a halt.

Back then, “getting unstuck” meant borrowing books from the library, reading long tutorials, or brute-forcing my way through problems. I’d spend hours, days, sometimes weeks trying to figure out something I could now solve in minutes.

Then came the internet. Forums like Stack Overflow and communities like Reddit changed everything. Suddenly, I could search for answers, find tutorials, and learn from others’ mistakes. That was a game-changer.

But today, we’re living through another shift — the rise of AI — and it’s unlocking an entirely new level of leverage for builders.

The AI Era for Builders

Ever since Google’s famous 2017 paper, “Attention Is All You Need”, the AI landscape has exploded. Today, we have tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Codex, and countless others.

What makes these tools different from the internet revolution is that AI doesn’t just give you answers — it helps you think, plan, debug, and create. It’s like having a co-pilot sitting next to you, ready to brainstorm, research, write code, or even market your app.

Here’s how I’ve started leveraging AI at every stage of building software.

AI Coder

1. AI for Getting Started: From Idea to Plan

Starting something new is always the hardest part. Whether it’s a fresh app idea or a marketing campaign, AI is my brainstorming buddy.

I use it to:

  • Explore problem spaces and validate whether an idea is worth pursuing.
  • Generate feature lists and prioritize what to build first.
  • Create roadmaps and MVP definitions in minutes instead of hours.
  • Compare tech stacks and weigh trade-offs between different solutions.

It’s like having an on-demand product strategist who works at lightning speed.

2. AI for Getting Unstuck: My Most Valuable Use Case

This is where AI has changed my workflow the most.

In the past, debugging meant hours of scrolling through Stack Overflow, skimming old blog posts, and digging into docs. Now, I can:

  • Paste an error message and get instant explanations.
  • Ask AI to simulate scenarios and suggest alternative approaches.
  • Use it for rubber-ducking — just describing my problem often surfaces solutions I hadn’t considered.
  • Pull in research and best practices for complex topics without falling down endless rabbit holes.

The result? I recover from dead ends much faster and spend way less time stuck on the small stuff.

3. AI for Getting Things Done: Code, Content, Design & More

AI isn’t just for planning and debugging — it’s a force multiplier across the entire creative process:

  • Coding: Autocomplete, code refactoring, test generation, and API integration suggestions.
  • Writing: Blog posts, release notes, documentation, and customer emails.
  • Designing: Generate wireframes, mockups, and even visual assets using tools like MidJourney or Figma AI.
  • Marketing: Craft compelling copy, ad campaigns, and value propositions quickly.

It doesn’t replace my work — it accelerates it.

4. AI for Deploying & Maintaining: Automating the Boring Stuff

Deployment and scaling used to require painful amounts of trial and error. Now AI:

  • Suggests optimal infrastructure setups based on my project size.
  • Helps write Dockerfiles, Kubernetes configs, and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Monitors performance and recommends optimizations.
  • Automates repetitive tasks like log analysis and error triage.

It’s like having a DevOps team on demand — even when I’m working solo.

5. AI for Learning & Improving: The Feedback Loop

One of the most underrated parts of AI is how it accelerates personal and product growth:

  • Analyzing user behavior to uncover friction points.
  • Running A/B tests faster with smarter experiment design.
  • Getting personalized feedback on my code, writing, and product decisions.
  • Staying up to date with emerging frameworks, libraries, and best practices.

The pace of innovation is insane, but AI helps me keep up without burning out.

6. AI for Marketing & Growth: Scaling Reach Without Scaling Costs

Shipping is only half the battle — getting users is the other. AI supercharges my growth efforts by:

  • Generating SEO-optimized content in minutes.
  • Recommending social media strategies and scheduling posts.
  • Writing and testing ad campaigns with different tones and audiences.
  • Analyzing what’s working and automatically suggesting adjustments.

It’s like having a full-stack marketing team that never sleeps.

Final Thoughts: Builders Have Superpowers Now

When I look back at how I started — manually searching forums, flipping through books, and brute-forcing solutions — it blows my mind how far we’ve come.

AI hasn’t just made me a faster coder. It’s made me a better problem solver, a quicker learner, and a more ambitious builder. But there’s one thing AI can’t replace: taste.

Good builders aren’t defined by how much they know anymore — AI can help with that. What sets us apart now is judgment:

  • Deciding which ideas are worth pursuing.
  • Knowing when less is more and when to push for more.
  • Choosing what to build, how to build it, and why it matters.

We’re no longer limited by what we know. We’re limited by our taste, our judgment, and ultimately — what we choose to build.

The tools have never been more powerful. The canvas has never been bigger. The only question left is: what will you create?

Artificial IntelligenceSoftware Development