> t could be that RPE(Rate of perceived exertion) is lower when using AI for tasks, but raw throughput may be higher if programmers just do the jobs themselves

> t could be that RPE(Rate of perceived exertion) is lower when using AI for tasks, but raw throughput may be higher if programmers just do the jobs themselves and get into productive/flow state. I think you're onto something with this take, based on my own experience. I definitely agree that my RPE seems lower when I'm using AI for things, whether it actually is making me more productive or not over the long term remains to be seen but things do certainly "feel" easier/less cognitively demanding. Which, tbh, is still a benefit even if it doesn't result in large gains in output. Putting in less cognitive load at work just conserves my energy for things that matter - everything else outside of $dayjob.