The freeCodeCamp Podcast

#205 How to stay curious as a dev in the AI hype era with Sumit Saha

Jan 23, 2026
Sumit Saha, a software engineer and educator from Dhaka, discusses the fading hunger for deep learning among developers. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding shortcuts like LLMs and fostering genuine curiosity. Sumit uses engaging analogies to explain complex concepts like JavaScript closures and JWTs. He shares insights on Dhaka's vibrant developer community and the significance of continuous self-study. He envisions the future of developer education as interactive and personalized, urging newcomers to embrace hard work and sustainability in their careers.
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INSIGHT

Instant Answers Kill Exploratory Learning

  • AI and short-form content shorten curiosity by offering instant answers that stop exploratory learning.
  • Sumit warns this reduces incidental learning that used to expose developers to deeper concepts.
ADVICE

Avoid Shortcuts; Force Deep Research

  • Avoid shortcuts and force yourself to research problems deeply instead of relying on LLMs.
  • Sumit recommends beginners strictly avoid LLMs to build true problem-solving skills.
ADVICE

Think Of Closures As Backpacks

  • Treat a closure like a function that carries a 'backpack' of remembered variables.
  • Use closures to keep state (like a counter) in inner functions across calls.
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