Conference/ORCwAI/Pt2/1400 Teaching Developers to Think with AI
Bridging the AI Learning Gap: Teaching Developers to Think with AI – Person/Andrew Stellman
- 14:09 quote "some devs use AI as an answer machine ..." and that's the problem
- 14:14 steps to using AI for problem solving rather than that.
- context
- research
- problem framing
- refining
- critical thinking
- 14:14 ad for his book "Sens-AI"
- 14:15 someone mentions https://discord.com/invite/xdfguR79ZR link #Discord which is oreilly media discord
- 14:15 break
slide summaries
Slide: Title
- "Bridging the AI Learning Gap"
- "Teaching Developers to Think with AI"
- Andrew Stellman, author of Head First C# and other O’Reilly books
Slide: When developers only ask AI for answers
- They often get stuck
- AI isn’t as effective when used passively
Slide: AI works best when developers think critically and guide it
- Active engagement improves outcomes
- Developers must be intentional and thoughtful
Slide: Asking the AI for answers vs. working with the AI to solve problems
- Emphasizes a shift from passive to collaborative use
- Illustrates a mindset transition developers need to make
Slide: We need to help developers cross the problem-solving gap
- Visual: contrast between "Asking AI for answers" and "Working with AI to solve problems"
- Core components needed:
- Context
- Research
- Problem framing
Slide: Bridging the gap starts with how developers work with AI
- Reinforces earlier point with added habits:
- Refining
- Critical thinking
Slide: When developers learn to guide AI, it becomes a partner
- AI becomes a collaborative tool rather than a crutch
- Reflects learning and mastery
Slide: Sens-AI bridges the gap
- Teaches essential AI habits
- Strengthens coding skills
- Designed to foster intentional, skill-building AI use
Slide: Want to learn more?
AI Summary
- Andrew Stellman argues that developers who rely on AI solely for answers often become stuck, as this limits their problem-solving growth.
- He emphasizes the importance of working with AI through active guidance, critical thinking, and problem framing.
- The talk introduces Sens-AI, a learning platform aimed at early-career developers that integrates coding practice with AI literacy, helping them develop essential habits for collaborating with AI.
- Stellman’s core message is that bridging the AI learning gap requires not just using AI tools, but thinking with them—developing context, refining ideas, and cultivating problem-solving mindsets.