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AI One Plus One: Elevate Your Work and Career with AI

JY
John Yk
•June 14, 2025•6 min read

Have AI as 1+1 as in raise a level above

AI One Plus One: Elevate Your Work and Career with AI

AI for developers: 1 + 1, not 2, but a level above. I used to think of AI as a tool that amplify my productivity. I would use it to automate repetitive tasks or generate boilerplate code and get the low-level tasks done faster. Now, I realize that AI actually does more than that. It helped me think differently about problems and solutions, allowing me to focus on higher-level design and architecture. Initially, I saw AI as a way to save time, but now I see it as a way to elevate my work or my career to a new level.

Introduction

Since I started using AI tools, I treated them as just another tool in my toolbox. I would use them to speed up my workflow, but I didn't fully grasp their potential. Over time, I've come to understand that AI can do much more than just automate tasks; it can transform the way I approach development. A year ago, I was focused on how AI could help me write code faster and more efficiently. Over the past few months, I've shifted my perspective. Now, I see AI as a partner/co-worker that enhances my thinking and creativity, allowing me to tackle more complex problems and design better solutions.

Basically, what I'm doing now is mostly delegating low-level tasks to AI, which frees me up to focus on the bigger picture. This shift in mindset has been a game-changer for my productivity and creativity. I'm getting myself out of the weeds and into a more strategic role, where I can think about architecture, design patterns, and long-term solutions rather than just writing code. Getting closer to product management, design and backend development, and even user experience. This has allowed me to elevate my work and career to a new level. By strategically implementing business requirements and user needs, I can scale my solutions, my teams, and my career.

Main Content

I'm giving you a few examples for what I gonna explain in this post. I hope you can relate to them and see how AI can help you elevate your work and career.

Example 1: As a fresh graduate/junior developer

Often, as a fresh graduate or junior developer, you will find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks and the complexity of the codebase.

Solution:

  • Now, you gonna treat yourself as a Mid-level developer or the owner of the codebase (Yes, put yourself a level above current role), not just a contributor. Navigate the codebase with the helps of AI.
  • Use AI to scan the codebase, identify patterns, list common practices, and generate documentation.
  • Use AI to assist you in understanding complex code snippets and provide explanations.
  • Don't over rely on AI to write code at this stage, but use it to help you learn and understand the codebase better.

Example 2: As a mid-level developer

As a mid-level developer, you might find yourself spending a lot of time on repetitive tasks, such as writing boilerplate code or debugging issues. At this stage, most developers start to dive into particular technologies, frameworks or even industry domains, but they often get bogged down in the details.

Solution:

  • Now, you can treat yourself as a senior developer or an architect, not just a mid-level developer. Focus on high-level design and architecture, and let AI handle the low-level implementation details. This shift allows you to take on more strategic responsibilities and contribute to the overall direction of your projects.
  • Use AI to automate repetitive tasks, such as generating boilerplate code, writing tests, debugging or refactoring code.
  • Use AI to help you understand complex algorithms or design patterns, and suggest improvements.
  • Use AI to assist you in code reviews, providing suggestions for improvements and identifying potential issues.
  • Dive deeper into particular technologies or frameworks, but use AI to help you understand the trade-offs and make informed decisions.

Example 3: As a senior developer

As a senior developer, you are expected to take on more leadership responsibilities, such as mentoring junior developers, leading projects, and making architectural decisions. However, you might find yourself spending too much time on low-level tasks that could be automated.

Solution:

  • Now, you can treat yourself as a tech lead or an engineering manager, not just a senior developer. Focus on high-level strategy and team management, and let AI handle the low-level implementation details. This shift allows you to take on more leadership responsibilities and contribute to the overall direction of your team.
  • Use AI to automate repetitive tasks, such as generating documentation, writing tests, or refactoring code.
  • Use AI to help you understand complex systems, identify bottlenecks, and suggest improvements.
  • Use AI to assist you in mentoring junior developers, providing suggestions for improvements and identifying potential issues.
  • Use AI to help you make informed decisions about architecture, design patterns, and technology choices.
  • Use AI to assist you in project management, such as estimating timelines, identifying risks, and tracking progress.
  • Dive deeper into team management, but use AI to help you understand the dynamics of your team and make informed decisions.

Example 4: As a tech lead or engineering manager

As a tech lead or engineering manager, you are responsible for the overall success of your team and projects. You need to balance technical leadership with people management, ensuring that your team is productive, engaged, and aligned with the company's goals.

Solution:

  • Now, you can treat yourself as a CTO or a VP of Engineering, not just a tech lead or engineering manager. Focus on high-level strategy and vision, and let AI handle the operational details. This shift allows you to take on more leadership responsibilities and contribute to the overall direction of your organization.
  • Use AI to automate repetitive tasks, such as generating reports, tracking metrics, or managing workflows.
  • Use AI to help you understand market trends, customer needs, and competitive landscapes, enabling you to make informed strategic decisions.
  • Use AI to assist you in talent management, such as identifying skill gaps, providing personalized development plans, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Conclusion

By treating yourself as a level above your current role, you can leverage AI to elevate your work and career. This shift in mindset allows you to focus on high-level design, architecture, and strategy, while AI handles the low-level implementation details. Whether you're a fresh graduate, mid-level developer, senior developer, or tech lead, AI can help you become more productive, creative, and strategic in your work. This approach not only enhances your technical skills but also prepares you for leadership roles in the future. Embrace AI as a partner in your development journey, and you'll find yourself achieving more than you ever thought possible.