supportDocs

Instructor’s Suggestions for Using AI During Bootcamp

TL;DR

We recommend limiting AI usage during the bootcamp assignments (especially A6–A14) and avoiding AI-assisted IDEs like Cursor until your final project or later.

Using AI can be an amazing tool for learning — but overusing it too early may rob you of key foundational skills.

So… Can I Use AI?

Short answer: Yes, but very wisely.

Here’s how to get the most out of AI without stalling your progress:

✅ DO use AI to:

Ask questions about small code blocks you wrote yourself.
Request explanations of concepts you’ve encountered but don’t fully understand (e.g., “What does this error mean?” or “Why does this forEach loop behave this way?”)
Compare different approaches after you’ve attempted a solution.
Debrief after a coding session. Ask the AI to review a solution you already wrote and explain what could be improved.

❌ DON’T use AI to:

Write your whole assignment.
Build files or full programs from scratch.
Bypass an error without understanding it.
Copy/paste solutions that you haven’t reasoned through on your own.

🚫 Why Not Use AI-IDEs Like Cursor Early On?

AI-powered IDEs like Cursor are powerful, but that’s the problem.

If you rely on them during early assignments, you’ll likely:

Skip writing the code yourself.
Avoid debugging (a key learning experience).
Miss out on the patterns and repetition that build real understanding.

We strongly suggest saving Cursor for your final project or using it after you’ve built core muscle memory on your own.

Think of AI as a Tutor, Not a Crutch

During A6–A14, you’re developing foundational skills:

Navigating syntax
Structuring logic
Understanding flow
Debugging your own work

Let AI be your study buddy, not your driver.

“Box it in.”
Use AI in a limited, intentional way that supports your thinking, not replaces it.

Sample Use of AI

❌ “Write a program that does X, Y, Z for Assignment 7.”

✅ “Here’s a JUnit method for Assignment 7. Can you explain what it’s doing and whether it handles all edge cases?”

🎯 Our Goal Is Your Growth

We want you to:

Build real skills.
Be able to explain your code.
Graduate with confidence, not just working code.

So be curious. Ask questions. But code with your own brain first. Then turn to AI as a way to deepen your understanding.