How to AI-augment your dev team with cursor AI IDE? Interview with Maksymilian Mogilski

AI augmentation in software development: a new era

As Max puts it, “Yes, it is a game-changer,” but it’s important to recognize that AI isn’t here to replace developers—it’s here to augment their work. AI tools like Cursor are designed to handle repetitive tasks that would normally take up a developer’s valuable time, allowing them to focus on more creative, complex aspects of development. This shift is what makes AI truly transformative in the software development lifecycle.

AI in onboarding: reducing the time to get started

When joining a new project, developers used to spend a significant amount of time understanding the codebase. Max recounts his experience with a project that had been in development for over seven years.

A few years ago, joining a project meant finding someone to mentor you and teach you about the codebase, how the system works, and the business logic. It took a lot of time and money, now, AI changes that. If I’m unfamiliar with the code, I can just ask the AI what a specific piece of code does, and it will explain it to me. Sometimes, it can even help me fix bugs.

With AI, new developers can get up to speed much faster. No more waiting for colleagues to teach you the intricacies of a project. AI helps provide the context quickly and efficiently, enabling developers to dive in without losing time.

AI: a tool, not a replacement

Max stresses that while AI is incredibly helpful, it’s not replacing colleagues. “Building complex software is still a team sport,” he says.

AI can assist you with knowledge and context, but you still need a team for deeper problem-solving. It helps speed up the process, but it doesn’t replace collaboration.

AI provides developers with tools to answer questions quickly or suggest solutions to problems, but human collaboration remains essential. AI is the assistant, but humans are the drivers.

Refactoring code with AI: more than just clean-up

Refactoring code is another area where AI, particularly in Cursor, offers significant benefits. “Refactoring used to be tedious,” Max explains.

You’d go through the code, making sure everything was clean and well-organized. With AI, I can tell it to refactor a section of code, and it will suggest improvements.

Max adds that, “It’s not magic though. AI needs to be given context. You can’t just hand it a messy codebase and ask it to clean it up. Just like how you would explain something to a colleague, you need to be specific with AI about what you want it to do.”

Refactoring is now faster, more efficient, and it ensures that the code is optimized for future development.

Cursor: an AI-first IDE for developers

What sets Cursor apart from other tools is that it’s not a general-purpose AI like ChatGPT—it’s designed specifically for software development. Max compares the traditional way of coding with AI-enhanced tools: “In the past, when using AI tools like ChatGPT, I would have to paste my code into a window and ask questions about it. But Cursor is built to understand the context right from the start. You don’t need to jump between different tools or tabs; everything is integrated into one workspace.”

With Cursor, developers can directly attach their project files and give the AI full context on the codebase, making it easier for the tool to help them with coding tasks. This leads to a more streamlined and productive development process.

AI as a tool: the future of development

Although there is much hype around AI, Max acknowledges that AI tools are still just tools that need to be used effectively. “It’s not about getting lazy with AI. It’s like upgrading from a scythe to a combine harvester. Sure, you’re doing less manual work, but you still need to operate the tool,” he says.

Max points out that, while AI is extremely powerful, it still requires skill and understanding to use properly. “It’s like using a combine harvester—if you don’t know how to use it, you’ll end up making mistakes. But if you do, it saves time and makes the job easier,” he continues.

In other words, AI doesn’t replace developers, but it enhances their efficiency by automating tasks that would otherwise take up too much time and energy.

AI helps developers focus on what matters

Max reflects on how AI allows developers to focus on higher-value tasks. “Instead of spending time writing tests or handling trivial tasks, AI can handle those. This gives developers more time to work on meaningful challenges that drive the project forward.”

By automating these repetitive tasks, AI is allowing developers to save time and energy, and focus on solving more complex problems and creating innovative solutions.

The future of AI in software development

Max also believes AI will only get better over time. “AI will help us develop software faster, with fewer bugs, and better quality overall,” he concludes. “We are still in the early stages, but in a few years, I believe AI will be deeply integrated into every phase of the software development cycle—from planning to testing, to decision-making. It’s a bright future for developers who embrace it.”

The future of software development will undoubtedly be shaped by AI, but it’s important to note that developers must learn how to use AI effectively and understand the context in which they work. AI is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but when used properly, it can truly be a game-changer.

Try cursor and share your thoughts

If you haven’t tried Cursor yet, now is the perfect time. Dive into the world of AI-assisted development and experience how it can enhance your workflow. If you’ve already used it, share your experiences and let us know how AI is shaping your software development journey. We look forward to hearing your thoughts!