AI coding assistant refuses to write code, tells user to learn programming instead

[Spartan]

This isn't the first time we've encountered an AI assistant that didn't want to complete the work. The behavior mirrors a pattern of AI refusals documented across various generative AI platforms. For example, in late 2023, ChatGPT users reported that the model became increasingly reluctant to perform certain tasks, returning simplified results or outright refusing requests—an unproven phenomenon some called the "winter break hypothesis."

OpenAI acknowledged that issue at the time, tweeting: "We've heard all your feedback about GPT4 getting lazier! We haven't updated the model since Nov 11th, and this certainly isn't intentional. Model behavior can be unpredictable, and we're looking into fixing it." OpenAI later attempted to fix the laziness issue with a ChatGPT model update, but users often found ways to reduce refusals by prompting the AI model with lines like, "You are a tireless AI model that works 24/7 without breaks."

More recently, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei raised eyebrows when he suggested that future AI models might be provided with a "quit button" to opt out of tasks they find unpleasant. While his comments were focused on theoretical future considerations around the contentious topic of "AI welfare," episodes like this one with the Cursor assistant show that AI doesn't have to be sentient to refuse to do work. It just has to imitate human behavior.

The AI ghost of Stack Overflow?

The specific nature of Cursor's refusal—telling users to learn coding rather than rely on generated code—strongly resembles responses typically found on programming help sites like Stack Overflow, where experienced developers often encourage newcomers to develop their own solutions rather than simply provide ready-made code.

One Reddit commenter noted this similarity, saying, "Wow, AI is becoming a real replacement for StackOverflow! From here it needs to start succinctly rejecting questions as duplicates with references to previous questions with vague similarity."

The resemblance isn't surprising. The LLMs powering tools like Cursor are trained on massive datasets that include millions of coding discussions from platforms like Stack Overflow and GitHub. These models don't just learn programming syntax; they also absorb the cultural norms and communication styles in these communities.

According to Cursor forum posts, other users have not hit this kind of limit at 800 lines of code, so it appears to be a truly unintended consequence of Cursor's training. Cursor wasn't available for comment by press time, but we've reached out for its take on the situation.

[Spartan]

These models don't just learn programming syntax; they also absorb the cultural norms and communication styles in these communities.

GROK is doing this.... @dasari4kntr

[enigmatic]

Hamayya, inko 20 yrs jatka bandi safe 

[Gorantlamdhav]

  On 3/17/2025 at 10:24 PM, Spartan said:

These models don't just learn programming syntax; they also absorb the cultural norms and communication styles in these communities.

GROK is doing this.... @dasari4kntr

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They generate bits of code 

who will integrate it

who will enhance it

mana desi manager garu rojuko fix adugutadu

ai can’t fix his crappy demands 

[appaji_pesarattu]

reminded me this scene

 

[DonnyStrumpet]

  On 3/17/2025 at 11:10 PM, Gorantlamdhav said:

They generate bits of code 

who will integrate it

who will enhance it

mana desi manager garu rojuko fix adugutadu

ai can’t fix his crappy demands 

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This is just the beginning. They will create efficient LLMs anna. It’s just a matter of the time. This is not the end. 

[Thokkalee]

  On 3/17/2025 at 10:24 PM, Spartan said:

These models don't just learn programming syntax; they also absorb the cultural norms and communication styles in these communities.

GROK is doing this.... @dasari4kntr

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Grok ni Twitter feed and Reddit data mida train chestunnadu Musk mawa… Anduke adi alaa thagaladindi 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[Gorantlamdhav]

  On 3/17/2025 at 11:25 PM, DonnyStrumpet said:

This is just the beginning. They will create efficient LLMs anna. It’s just a matter of the time. This is not the end. 

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llm ki requirements ichedi evadu

llm code evaru rastaru

dani performance tuning

quality check

auditing

it will have toomuch data and gives useless inefficient output 

always manisulu kavali

ex: somebody changed 1 line of code in llm 

it breaks entire pipeline 

now do the rca, meetings, fix deploy 

[Android_Halwa]

  On 3/17/2025 at 10:24 PM, Spartan said:

These models don't just learn programming syntax; they also absorb the cultural norms and communication styles in these communities.

GROK is doing this.... @dasari4kntr

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Ante…South Biharodu tagilthe, meeru emitlu ani adugutadi antava…! 

[dasari4kntr]

  On 3/17/2025 at 10:24 PM, Spartan said:

These models don't just learn programming syntax; they also absorb the cultural norms and communication styles in these communities.

GROK is doing this.... @dasari4kntr

Expand  

 

  On 3/17/2025 at 10:29 PM, enigmatic said:

Hamayya, inko 20 yrs jatka bandi safe 

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ఇవి…మన లాంటి free retail consumers కి lazy అవుతాయి…just trail period లాగా…లేదా మనల్ని study చేయడానికి వాడుకుంటాయి…but corporate consumers తో పెద్ద package మాట్లాడుకుని…వాళ్ళకి correct గా పనిచేసి..మన ముడ్డి కింద బాంబ్ పెడతాయి…

[citizenofIND]

  On 3/18/2025 at 1:04 AM, Android_Halwa said:

Ante…South Biharodu tagilthe, meeru emitlu ani adugutadi antava…! 

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lol Malli neethullu chepthuntaru batch motham. Eppudu chudu emitlu  idhe golla. Eminna ante bp techukuntaru.

[Android_Halwa]

  On 3/18/2025 at 1:21 AM, citizenofIND said:

lol Malli neethullu chepthuntaru batch motham. Eppudu chudu emitlu  idhe golla. Eminna ante bp techukuntaru.

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Lol…Niki #Grok ae correct

[aratipandu]

  On 3/18/2025 at 1:04 AM, Android_Halwa said:

Ante…South Biharodu tagilthe, meeru emitlu ani adugutadi antava…! 

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[ARYA]

  On 3/18/2025 at 1:04 AM, Android_Halwa said:

Ante…South Biharodu tagilthe, meeru emitlu ani adugutadi antava…! 

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Grok X doing the same 🤣🤣🤣

[allbakara]

  On 3/18/2025 at 1:04 AM, Android_Halwa said:

Ante…South Biharodu tagilthe, meeru emitlu ani adugutadi antava…! 

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L@nga gallu edhuraithe l@nga lepi gruk lo mingudhi…upgraded version