Let me be honest — 95% of developers are stuck in companies with zero AI strategy, still writing code manually, and learning the old way.
Even most of them only use AI for basic tasks and are too scared to use it fully.
Well, if you're one of them - writing code line by line, and spending hours on the same repetitive tasks, you need to watch out because you're already falling behind.
And within a short span of time, developers who know how to use AI will replace you - and you'll be left with nothing.
What's even crazier?
The top 5% of developers have already started automating more than 90% of their work - and they're delivering more in a week than most do in a month.
Here's exactly how they're doing it:
1. They Use AI as a Coding Assistant
Let me tell you, most developers think AI will replace them - but they still stick to the same old traditional process.
Well, in contrast to that, the top 5% have started using AI to get massive leverage over others.
Here's how:
- First off, they've started using ChatGPT and Claude to generate code and build their dream apps within minutes. And later, they just tweak it a bit to get their desired results.
- They've also started using AI-powered tools like Cursor AI that predict your next move - the code you'd write - and let you chat to refine your code, find bugs, and more.
- They're even using tools like CodeRabbit AI that can automatically review your code line by line within your pull requests, providing code reviews, summaries, walk-throughs, and more.
- Not only that - I've seen web developers using AI tools like Uizard, Framer, and more to build their dream websites without writing the code manually.
You see, this is how the top 5% avoid writing code manually and save tons of time automating the same tedious process.
And the extra time they have? Well, they focus on solving problems, and building apps that help their customers.
2. They Use AI to Learn New Concepts Faster
You know, earlier most top developers would spend hours reading official documentation, digging through blogs, and learning through trial and error.
Sure, most of them skip YouTube because they don't want to spend hours watching endless tutorials just to pick up one or two useful tips.
But now? AI has made the whole process 10x faster.
Developers can simply ask AI to give them the shortest, most efficient roadmap to learn any new tech stack.
For example - I wanted to learn AI in the shortest time and start making money.
Since I already know the basics of Python and related concepts, I just asked ChatGPT to map out the fastest learning path tailored to me.
In the same way, smart developers are using LLMs (like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini) to:
- Summarize long blog posts or YouTube videos so you only get the important stuff.
- Understand complex ideas in simple words without spending hours reading blogs on Google.
- Get ready-made project templates through LLMs, and skip the boring setup to start.
- Get quick, expert help to fix errors and learn the right way - while you're coding.
You see, this is how the top 5% stay ahead - they learn quicker, build faster, and make more money by using AI.
3. They Use AI to Automate the "Boring" Work
If you're a programmer, you know writing code is just one part of the job.
But there's a ton of behind-the-scenes work like sitting in meetings, writing test cases, reviewing code, creating documentation, and more - all of which eat up your time.
This is the stuff that actually slows you down.
And the top developers? They don't waste their time on it.
They use AI tools to handle these tasks so they can focus on what really matters: building great products and shipping faster.
Here's how they do it:
- For meetings: They use AI-powered tools like Otter AI and Fireflies AI to get automated meeting notes, summaries, and action items - so they never have to take notes manually.
- For documentation: They use tools like Scribe and Mintlify to generate step-by-step guides or clean documentation automatically, saving hours of effort.
- For code reviews and optimization: AI tools like CodeRabbit AI and more review code line by line, suggest performance improvements, and catch bugs faster - without waiting on human feedback.
When one automates this "invisible" work, they free up a couple of hours every day.
And that extra time? They use it to build better products, improve their skills, and make more money.
4. They are Building AI-Powered Tools
We all know a developer's job is to build problem-solving apps.
But the smartest developers? They're taking it a step further - they're building AI-powered tools.
And thanks to LLMs (Large Language Models) and ready-to-use APIs, it's easier than ever to add AI capabilities to any app.
Let me break it down.
- Developers are using ChatGPT and Claude not just to generate code - but to help them build AI-powered tools faster by combining their expertise with AI's capabilities.
- They've also started using APIs from OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude), DeepSeek, and more - which make it simple to integrate AI features like chatbots, content generation, sentiment analysis, and more into their apps.
- And the best part? There are open-source frameworks like LangChain that make it easy to build complex AI applications, like custom chatbots, AI-driven apps, and more.
You see, this is how the top 5% of developers stay ahead.
They don't just use AI - they work smarter with it. And because of that, they build tools that solve real problems and make good money.
5. They're Building One-Person Businesses
Now, let me be honest - programmers have an unfair advantage over everyone else.
We already know languages like Python, we've worked with APIs for years, and now with AI, it's easier than ever for us to build tools that solve real problems.
And the top 5% of developers? They've figured this out.
They're starting side businesses or running one-person businesses after their regular jobs.
And some are even quitting their jobs because their AI projects are making more money than their 9-to-5 ever did.
To be precise, I personally know several friends who are building AI-powered tools and promoting them on platforms like Indie Hackers, X (Twitter), and more.
And guess what? Some of them have already sold their AI tools for $50K to $100K.
And remember when Sam Altman said, "We could soon see a one-person billion-dollar company"?
Well, I believe programmers will be the first to make it happen - because we already have the skills, the tools, and the knowledge.
To give you an example, just look at the revenue of Cursor AI and other similar AI-powered tools - their impressive earnings speak for themselves.
As AI keeps growing, more and more developers will start building and selling tools that change lives.
You see, the opportunity is right in front of us, and the smartest developers are already taking advantage of it.
Now, it's your time.
Hope you like it.
That's it - thanks.
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