The True Cost of AI Coding

In this video Scott explores both the negative and positive mental health effects of AI coding, with data and expert commentary. 00:00 - intro 00:20 - Rob in the hospital from prompting 01:08 - Disclaimer 01:11 - Chapter 1: Crash & Burnout 05:29 - Chapter 2: Why is prompting hard to put down? 07:39 - Chapter 3: If AI saves time, why is there more pressure? 10:23 - Chapter 4: What happens to enjoyment, skill, and identity? 14:00 - Chapter 5: What separates energizing use from unhealthy use? 17:52 - Chapter 6: What should change? 24:21 - Support Take the Survey: https://forms.gle/TvtjgtU7UPnK7DC9A See the charts here: https://ai-health.syntax.fm Dr. Courtney Tolinski PhD, LP, NCSP: https://phases.fm @phasesfm Adam Elmore: https://x.com/adamdotdev @adamdotdev Mark Erikson: https://bsky.app/profile/acemarke.dev @markerikson3383 Mark Erikson's Blog: https://blog.isquaredsoftware.com Miranda Heath: https://bsky.app/profile/mirandaheath.website, http://mirandaheath.website @mirandaheath.website Aaron Francis: https://x.com/aarondfrancis, https://aaronfrancis.com/ @aarondfrancis Stanford AI Index Report: https://hai.stanford.edu/assets/files/ai_index_report_2026.pdf The brain side of human-AI interactions in the long-term: the “3R principle”: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44387-025-00063-1 If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, you don’t have to face it alone. Consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional or visit ADAA.org for information and support. If you’re in crisis or need immediate emotional support in the United States, call or text 988. If there is immediate danger, call 911. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hit us up on Socials! Syntax: https://x.com/syntaxfm Scott: https://x.com/stolinski http://www.syntax.fm Brought to you by https://sentry.io/syntax #mentalhealth #programming #interview #webdevelopment #webdeveloper #javascript #syntax #syntaxfm #webdev