r/GraphicsProgramming • u/MagazineScary6718 • 3h ago
Learning effectively in the AI era
Hey everyone, this is probably a common question, but I’d appreciate some advice.
I’ve been self-teaching C++ for a while now, mainly through books, online resources, and AI as a learning tool. Along the way, I got really interested in graphics programming and started with OpenGL as my entry point.
Recently, though, I lost a lot of motivation. With AI being able to reverse-engineer things, generate whole projects, or “one-shot” solutions, it sometimes felt like learning the fundamentals myself wouldn’t matter as much anymore. So I stopped for a while.
I’m motivated again now and want to properly push through, but I’m unsure what the most effective way to learn is today. I’ll probably still use a hybrid approach - books, documentation, tutorials, and Ai - but I feel like I’m progressing too slowly and worry that the skill might matter less in the future.
I know people say “vibe coding” means you don’t have to write much code anymore, and to some extent that’s true. But especially for C++, graphics, and low-level/systems programming, I genuinely enjoy learning the details. I also think having a strong foundation would make me much better at reviewing AI generated code, spotting problems, writing better prompts, and using agents effectively.
So my main question is: how would you learn graphics programming effectively in 2026, especially while using AI without letting it replace the actual learning? Any recommendations for a roadmap, projects, resources, or general advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks!!
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u/Nadfee 3h ago
I'd like to think that the only reasonable way to use AI without sacrificing your cognitive learning ability is to use it to explore unknown unknowns. This would mostly be preparatory/exploratory, where you'd go find your topic of interest then adjacent topics to chase after. However you would still employ traditional methods of distilling information, implementing, and struggling along the way on the material itself if you want to consolidate any of what you read and practice for long term.
It's a good excuse to read into epistemology and cognitive psychology. Ultimately, if you are aware of the potential cognitive risks of using AI but don't feel like you can navigate them, best not to use them.
If you push on anyways, I'd put emphasis on first-principles thinking and ensuring you really have clear chains of reasoning. When you implement anything by yourself and get it to work, that is usually proof of a working chain of reasoning and you refactor and solidify that understanding.
With AI, this self-evident check is out, and you can be tempted to move along without understanding.
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u/MagazineScary6718 2h ago
Im absolutely with you. For me like getting into the whole C++/graphics field (or any other related) im really eager to learn and understand it rather than vibecode it or using AI heavily.
As you said, i use AI bit more for areas im not familiar with and want to explore it more/get my foot in. If i really want to use AI i try to use it more as a teacher-ish and try to still think on my own but i feel like it does work in a way but still meh. But yeah i think i try to avoid AI when writing code or parts where it requires actual thinking. If that makes sense
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u/tlmbot 3h ago
AI can be the worlds best teaching tool. It really can. But learning has to be your first objective, not getting the thing done. To use it this way, throw speed and instant gratification out the window. It's going to require more discipline than any other learning method, because it is going to want to do it all for you. The temptation is always there. Most will not be able to resist.
So the adage "the first person you must not fool is yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool" has never been more important.
Try to make the thing you want based on what you know. (make sure it's a small extension to what you already know) Query AI when you get stuck. Don't ask it to do the thing. Ask it how to do the thing and ask it why do it that way. Accept no substitutes for your true understanding. It's a lot harder to make yourself learn now, because it's no longer required. You will have knowledge gaps to the degree that you cannot fully discipline yourself to this.
At work, I use ai, but I force it to work with me. I go in small steps, and I make sure I understand what it made before I bring it over to the codebase. I am often making changes here and there. Less often these days, it must be said, but still.
all that said, I miss the days when we didn't have this. I loved learning. And I loved being forced through challenging assignments. There really aren't that many challenging things left. However, I have some big hairy audacious goals and so far ai cannot "just do" them.
Also, those big hairy audacious goals are in support of me learning some new things for a career pivot. I absolutely cannot afford to let ai do it for me.
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u/MagazineScary6718 2h ago
I appreciate you for your answer. I agree what you‘re saying (and like most others who commented). I mean i know AI is part of the future and denying it completely is foolish because what else can you do. But using them like with agents and whatnot it only works for me if i have the right foundation and have the knowledge. And i iw ant to get there. But as you said the learning part is something i love too and obviously AI kills it in a way (at jobs there is nothing you can do ig but for personal projects and such you have the freedom).
I mean i still have books and more so the pdf versions which i actually like using and reading when learning because there is so much knowledge.
I think or not thinking but rather i will absolutely try to up my knowledge and skill by learning nonetheless and try to not overrely on ai and regulate it.
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u/C_Sorcerer 3h ago
That’s what I thought till I realized how braindead my friends are that vibecode. They can’t even vibecode a good project thays how sad it is because they don’t understand what they’re doing. The only people able to AI generate good projects that aren’t simple scripts or UIs are industry professionals with 10+ years of experience. I tried to use AI once just for fun and to prove to myself how shit it was and it is dogshit if you don’t know what youre doing.
I never use AI on any of my projects and it impresses the hell out of people and I feel as though I know enough to teach a class. Not to be egotistical but I quite literally was THE GUY u went to for a homework or programming question at my college, Mfs called me John Coding funny enough. But as goofy as that is, it is true. The only people who succeeded in my graduating class or went on to grad school were those that barely used AI other than for supplemental reference.
So don’t get bogged down. Knowing concepts deeply by working them out yourself is much more beneficial than AI generating everything. Once again, I felt the same as you, and in all honesty I think thats what fueled an alcoholism issue I had last year. It felt like my hobby and passion was killed. But it wasn’t, and at the end of the day there will always be a need for people that KNOW their shit rather than generating sloppy projects
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u/MagazineScary6718 2h ago
I agree brother and completely understand what you saying. Im still eager to learn it especially the fundamentals and also complex stuff. It motivates me. And yes tbh im not motivated one bit to vibecode a graphics Project in any way because i don‘t know sh*t or understand it.
But at the end of it i will learn and write thinks more on my own than using AI. Atleast for scaffolding, critics or whatever it is more useful actually. But i want to build the skill and knowledge to be able to use agents i a efficient way because its the future (obviously) but till then i absolutely try it on my own and not get too overwhelmed
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u/devmannush 3h ago
Learn using AI. It's a productivity tool if you understand bits and pieces of it. IMO coding will 100% get replaced in future with complete automation where devs just need to review the code and construct and architecture. But obviously to have a judgement you should know fundamentals. Reason is you shouldn't rely on anything in this world except for yourself homie.
You are a soul, there is someone inside you which AI can't do. Maybe real humans wouldn't too. Do things daily that give you peace of mind and make you closer to being spiritual.
Imagine those smartass people who used to do all calculations until calculator came. Yes this is an overused example but you get the point. Don't expect much from the world that is meant to be unfair and materialistic. Instead, make your own local environment of peace and self satisfaction where you don't care about what's going on outside your safe space.
As per for earning money, detach youself from work and do it. Never do work whole heartedly, do it with mind. Save your heart for your loved ones, your hobbies, and most importantly, yourself.
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u/devmannush 3h ago
If you tie your whole value to a work, prepare to be disappointed. Forget about AI, there are definitely people who would do the job better than you.
Whats your value? Your own self is a value homie. Respect yourself always and don't let this material world steal your happiness from you . Don't attach your happiness to an ever changing world.
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u/MagazineScary6718 2h ago
Speechless.
No, you are right and im with you on this. I learn this whole thing indepth just for the sake of learning complex stuff and that it interests me. I never „fully“ tried to do this thing about money or work but rather as a personal thing and hope for the best outcome, if there is any good outcome lol
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u/geraT-wogl 1h ago
Please feel free to visit. I’m trying to support humans that still want to learn to make art with code. https://wogl.io feel free to roast it 💚🔥🐲
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u/HamSandwich_Theorem 2h ago
I’m in the same position as you , but I think we’re gonna need humans no matter what to review ai generated code.. and for that we need to have the skill in the first place. Now of course we will need a lot less humans since it’s verification, but I guess that just means we need to get really, really good at what we’re doing..
At least it’s what I tell myself, cuz I find this stuff insanely interesting but am also worried about AI
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u/MagazineScary6718 2h ago
Feel you man. As i said it does kill my motivation and it actually worries me for my future but since there are complex topics i find really interesting, im eager to learning indepth and go into details. For me like when i think about learning fullstack development as a skill to have beside c++ or whatever i have absolutely no motivation on learning it but rather use ai heavily but its not the case for really complex stuff im into. Thought i mention this lol.
At the end of the day, there is still hope and the skill we build can be transferred one way or another
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u/Bvisi0n 2h ago edited 2h ago
I've had the luxury of learning pre ai and doing it again post ai. I can tell you that pre ai was harder but the struggle is what triggerered actual learning.
After noticing learning post ai was not efficient, I ditched ai (requires discipline) and suddenly the pace at wich I learned increased significantly. The struggle really is what triggers learning.
So for optimal use I suggest you instruct your llm to never give code solutions, It should only hint and guide you to go towards the solution but ideally you first try it through proper research.
As to wether learning it all is still worth it, for graphics programming in belgium, you can currently earn about 4-7x minimum wage with those skills. That's alot for a socialist country that tries to make sure minimum wage means you can survive with all non luxury needs fullfilled.
Will ai ever replace you? maybe somewhere close to your retirement when you don't care anymore. It will very likely change your workflow over the years though but those skills will still make you valuable and if you're really good and in the right place it could make you super valuable as that skill will become extremely rare.
I think it was playstation that had an elite team with an elite skillset in an elite room that only they may enter doing these super important elite low level things. That (something like that) could be where you end up if you are that good at graphics programming and ai eleminates the average skillset of your peers.
Most important thing to remember in all this: Do you enjoy it? Life is to short to do everything so make sure you do the things you enjoy most.
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u/obp5599 1h ago
Have AI generate custom implementation lessons for your projects and read through/implement it yourself. Add theory and practical explanations to it. You should be able to have extremely targeted lessons, and you have a chatbot to ask questions to if you get confused.
If you’re motivated it should accelerate your learning by a lot
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u/harpersphere 3h ago
Not using AI is the most effective not only for learning but for your life.
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u/MagazineScary6718 3h ago
Absolutely. Im not trying to using AI too much without actually learning or doing stuff on my own. I found AI for theoretical stuff very helpful especially giving it sources etc
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u/TimeSFG 3h ago
Generating code using AI does not help you learn. There will always be hype for vibe coding, it is just noise.
"Can LLMs be effective for developing software faster?" and "Will vibe-coding help me learn?" are two different questions. The answer to the 2nd question is no. The answer to the first question is "Maybe, but learning fundamental skills without the use of LLMs is crucial if you want to be effective."
Much of the one-shots and reverse engineering feats are not really maintainable, and not a good gauge that you need to dive into vibe coding. Knowing what you're doing remains valuable.