Contrary to demos showing AI building a full feature, experienced developers break work into the smallest logical commits first (e.g., refactor, new endpoint, tests). They then prompt the AI for each individual commit, ensuring changes are focused, reviewable, and maintainable.
The productivity boost from AI is not 'free time.' Successful senior developers reallocate minutes saved on code generation towards more rigorous structuring of commits, critical review of AI output, and thoughtful documentation. This discipline prevents the rapid accumulation of AI-generated technical debt.
Teams can measure the negative side-effects of AI adoption by tracking specific Git metrics. A drop in commit message length to 20-30 characters or a surge in single-commit PRs with 500+ lines are quantifiable signals that AI is amplifying poor practices and increasing technical debt.
AI tools don't make junior developers senior; they accelerate existing workflows. Juniors produce junior-level code at a senior's pace, while seniors produce high-quality code at a supernatural speed. The tool magnifies the user's existing skill and discipline, for better or worse.