Why Does AI Code Feel Perfect in Unfamiliar Stacks? Beware of Gell-Mann Amnesia

therealdanvega · x · 2026-07-31

Developer Dan Vega explored whether we can trust AI-generated code based on personal experience. While working in a familiar Spring Boot codebase, he easily spotted AI flaws like unnecessary dependencies and ineffective tests. However, when building an unfamiliar iOS app, the AI-generated code looked flawless to him.

He points out this mirrors Gell-Mann amnesia: you easily catch AI errors in your expertise, but blindly trust its output in domains you don't know well. Code running successfully doesn't mean it's right or follows best practices, and developers must be wary of the false security stemming from their own blind spots.

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