"To love without understanding harms the object of your love" (Thich Nhat Hanh) For us, to code without understanding harms the product of our code -- our software. And quietly hollow out our own skills in the process. So how can you use AI as your coach, your teacher, and your partner in exploration? How can you prevent the brain rot of passivity? And when you're not writing it -- how can you keep all of the new code in your head? This talk aims to ensure your favourite LLM makes you a better developer, not a worse one. I'll share a system for collaborating on software that leaves you sharper, more skilful, and still the one who understands what's running in production.

Description:
"Starting a tech career has never been easy, and doing it after the rise of AI can feel even more challenging.
This talk explores the key challenges juniors face in tech today and how to turn them into opportunities."

Bio:
Junior Frontend Developer at Whitby Wood, project-based learner, doing LeetCode on Twitch.

Propel yourself into the future of web development. You’ll start with the essentials of building full stack applications using the Next.js framework, encompassing frontend and backend development, data routing, and application management, and then you’ll take a deep dive into the world of artificial intelligence, learning how to integrate AI features seamlessly into your web applications. Whether you're a junior developer looking to expand your skill set or a seasoned developer aiming to add AI expertise to your toolkit, you'll come away with the knowledge and hands-on experience to craft advanced web applications that leverage AI to deliver cutting-edge, intelligent user experiences.

Developers find themselves in a world where old maps no longer apply. The rules of software development have fundamentally shifted, and continue shifting at unprecedented speeds.

Drawing from a year of exploration, this talk reveals where AI truly shines - from rapid prototyping to uncovering what we didn't know we didn't know - and hidden dangers that can erode the very trust our software depends on.

Come discover the patterns emerging from this new reality: when to explore freely, when to be careful, and what opens up when the old constraints disappear.