I totally understand why some developers are fed up with AI right now.

We’ve spent two years trapped in a relentless hype cycle that shows no signs of slowing. The signal-to-noise ratio is brutally low. Filtering out what actually matters is exhausting.

Here is a recent example of the kind of messages I’ve seen repeatedly in developer communities:

I’m not joking and this isn’t funny. We have been trying to build distributed agent orchestrators at Google since last year. There are various options, not everyone is aligned… I gave Claude Code a description of the problem, it generated what we built last year in an hour.

Note: I’m not sharing this tweet to single out the author, I honestly believe they have good intentions. I’m sharing it as an example of the kind of messaging that contributes to the overall noise because it went viral.

What I consider worst are these types of messages:

“AI will replace X job in Y years"
"You don’t need to learn Z anymore because AI can do it for you"
"Here’s how to make $10k/month using AI tools with zero effort"
"The future is AI, and if you’re not on board, you’re doomed”

The Hype Cycle

Here’s the tragedy: this hype cycle hurts the people genuinely excited about the technology.

There are, however, multiple types of developers affected by this:

  1. The Enthusiasts: Developers who are passionate about AI and eager to share their honest learnings. Unfortunately, they are often dismissed as marketers or “snake oil sellers” simply by association. The noise drowns out the signal.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. When I started sharing my progress, I was surprised by snarky comments—even from people who know me. It’s a tough environment for genuine innovation.

  1. The Builders: Developers who want to explore AI’s potential but are overwhelmed by the noise. They struggle to find reliable information and tools amidst the hype, leading to frustration and burnout.

  2. The Skeptics: Developers who are wary of AI’s promises and see the hype as a sign of overblown expectations. They dismiss the technology outright, missing out on genuine opportunities to leverage AI effectively.

To the Enthusiasts

I’m here with you. You want to partake in the conversations, share your learnings, tell others how good AI is, and evangelize because you believe that’s the right thing to do.

But you find yourself put in the same bucket as the marketers, the hype sellers, the snake oil peddlers.

Don’t let that stop you. Try to find ways to share your learnings authentically. Focus on concrete examples, real-world applications, and honest assessments of what works and what doesn’t.

Bring value to the discussion by being transparent about your experiences, tell us where AI has helped you and where it has fallen short. Your voice matters, even if the noise is loud.

To the Builders

If you’re a developer trying to navigate the AI landscape, I get it. The hype is overwhelming.

Understanding what’s real and what’s just overblown marketing is exhausting. I’ll be straight with you: get out of social media for a while. Consume less content about AI, focus on trustworthy sources and communities where you can have honest conversations.

Of course, don’t stop experimenting with new tools and techniques—but get your inspiration from real projects, not from flashy demos or viral posts.

To the Skeptics

Burnout is real.

But don’t let the noise stop you from exploring what actually works. Real opportunities exist beneath the surface; you just have to dig past the marketing.

If you have the energy: play around with the tools. Form your own opinion, good or bad. Bring back feedback on what worked and what didn’t. Your honest voice matters more than you think.

And if you don’t feel like it? That’s fine too. The last few years have been exhausting. Take a break, recharge, and come back when you’re ready. The technology isn’t going anywhere.

To the Hype Sellers

If you’re the type of person who enjoys riding the hype wave, please consider the impact your actions have on the community. The constant barrage of exaggerated claims and unrealistic promises contributes to burnout and skepticism among developers.

I understand the desire to promote new technologies, but there’s a fine line between enthusiasm and sensationalism. I’m not trying to undermine your excitement, not trying to police your behaviour, this is just a plea from someone who cares about the developer community.

Please, tone it down. Focus on sharing genuine insights and experiences rather than sensationalism. The community will thank you for it.

If you’re ready to cut through the hype and focus on what actually works, here are some practical resources: