Should I use ChatGPT for learning?

Yes, ChatGPT can be a great educational resource. We recommend using it.

It is an infinitely patient mentor, that can answer your exact question any time. But, it sometimes “lies” (aka. gets things wrong), but that’s OK, as long as you’re on guard.

What about Copilot?

Sure. But less useful than ChatGPT when starting out. It still requires the judgment to be able to tell whether the code actually does what you want it to do.

See also Clojure Camp’s stance on AI Tools and Education

Advice on using Chat GPT

• Errors

  • makes up functions that don’t exist (ex. clojure.core/transpose)
  • mismatches brackets
  • straight up gives wrong answers
    • (”what is nil punning? making a pun about nil values”)

• Ways of using it

  • search engine for appropriate functions
    • “I’d like to do convert a vector of strings to integers in Clojure, what function might I use to do that”
  • code generation
    • “In Clojure, write a function that…”
  • explain code snippet
    • “What does this code do…”
  • explain concept