Understanding the importance of these tools like AI assistance and cloud infrastucture is very useful as a developer.

As developers, staying on top of the technology stack is essential in both our careers and in our free time. It might seem obvious to some, but for me, I try to make a concerted effort to read news, watch content, and explore updates within the field. Keeping up to date with the latest technologies helps us understand the changes that are happening and how we can personally adapt to these shifts—whether it's upgrading our knowledge or improving our workplace/home lab setups.

One of the biggest advancements that keeps popping up in the developer and educational space is the rise of AI-related tools, such as ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot. These tools have become integral to a developer's toolkit, much like using documentation and other resources online. However, just because these tools can generate code or information doesn't mean it's always correct.

For instance, while AI tools like ChatGPT can provide valuable assistance when you're stuck, they should never be blindly relied upon. Even though the information might be accurate, it’s crucial to understand the flow of your code and adapt the suggestions to fit the context of your project. Blindly copying and pasting AI-generated code can lead to potential issues, as well as hinder yourself to become a good developer as you have zero idea of what the code is even doing if asked.

For example, if I want to generate a function that returns the sum of two numbers, I can use ChatGPT to generate the code for me. The code generated by ChatGPT is as follows:
function sum(a, b) {
return a + b;
}
now while this task is very simple the principle still remains, I clearly can see the flow and understand what it is trying to do, if I didn't I would absolutely not utilize it until I do.

Another technology advancement that's become commonplace is the use of cloud-based tools for hosting servers, applications, or even websites. The rise of platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud has revolutionized the way we deploy and manage resources. It's clear that this trend will continue to rise in popularity. Even if you don’t plan on directly working with these tools, learning how they operate is incredibly valuable. Understanding the flow of how cloud-based systems function—whether it’s setting up a virtual machine or deploying a website—can greatly enhance your skills as a developer. In fact, this knowledge can help you design more efficient, scalable applications in the future.

In conclusion, staying on top of the technology stack is crucial for developers. Whether it's keeping up with the latest AI tools or understanding cloud infrastructure, to something else that becomes commonplace down the line these advancements can greatly enhance your skills and knowledge. By making a concerted effort to learn and adapt to these changes, you'll be better equipped to tackle new challenges and build innovative solutions in the future.