Is it advised to use AI code generators for building a side project?

I am in favor of using AI code generators. I actually think you can learn faster by using AI code generators if you actually take the effort to critically think about the code output and your prompt takes a first stab at the problem.

In a given unit of time, say an hour, I believe you can learn 10x faster using an AI code generator versus not using one. There's just a lot of minutiae of looking up documentation for different libraries, seeing what the input/output is, gluing libraries together that doesn't help with your higher level understanding of the code. Or, you have to interpret cryptic error messages that block you.

Yes! Just add in your system prompt to explain the reasoning/intuition behind why the AI decided to make the changes and to explain the changes made to a beginner

You should always use AI where you can as it is part of the modern day engineering workflow, and it will only grow in importance over time. The tricky part though is using it to bolster your velocity and learning instead of having it be a crutch for them, which I break down here: "How Can Junior/Mid-level Engineers Effectively Integrate AI into Their Coding Workflow?"

That being said, it's important to remember that with side projects, you want to set them up in a way where even if they don't get users, you still come out a winner. This is especially important in the beginning as chances are that your initial side projects won't get users as you're learning the ropes.

One of the main ways to always be a winner is make sure that you emerge with learning and genuinely sharper skills. You will get more of that if you lean more towards struggling in the code organically and trying to piece things together yourself vs. having the AI generate everything for you. Similar to how I study LeetCode, my approach is as follows:

1. Do things myself until I hit a roadblock
2. Have AI unblock me on that particular piece
3. Make sure that the AI deeply explains what it's doing and why (just tweak the prompt as Sai mentioned)
4. Repeat this process

Thanks for sharing your insights. Super clear now that I could use it, but not forget to do it in the way I can still learn well.
@Charlie Vuong, @Sai Shreyas Bhavanasi, @Alex Chiou