Building Tools: AI, World Rowing, and Getting Your Hands Dirty¶
We're all sick of AI slop... but if you can get past the churn of low quality content that's being spilled onto the internet, it's really amazing technology and starting to demonstrate real value in areas of industry.
The Problem¶
I've never found it particularly easy to find what I want on the World Rowing website. As someone who works at the intersection of rowing and technology, this has always been a minor frustration. Rather than just complaining about it, I decided to do something.
The Solution¶
Last night, while experimenting with Claude Code, I decided to see what it could do to help me solve this problem.
From idea to online: about 90 minutes.
The Learning¶
Like with all tools, you're only going to get better at using them by using them... and my approach is to get my hands dirty!
There are successes and failures, but each time I try using AI coding tools I get better at: - Using the tools effectively - Understanding their capabilities and limitations - Identifying where AI can accelerate development - Knowing when to step in and when to let the AI work
And here's the thing: as I'm getting better at using these tools, the tools themselves are rapidly getting better too.
Why This Matters¶
This isn't just about building a quick search tool. It's about:
- Lowering barriers to experimentation: Ideas that would have taken days can now be prototyped in hours
- Solving real problems: Even small friction points (like website navigation) are worth fixing
- Learning by doing: You can read opinions about AI tools all day, but nothing beats hands-on experience
- Rapid iteration: Fast feedback loops mean you can try, fail, learn, and improve quickly
The Bigger Picture¶
The internet is a fun playground again!
When tools like Claude Code can help you go from "I wish this existed" to "here's a working prototype" in 90 minutes, it opens up possibilities for experimentation and innovation that simply weren't practical before.
But here's the key: these tools are amplifiers. They amplify your skills, your domain knowledge, and your ability to identify problems worth solving. They don't replace judgment, creativity, or understanding—they accelerate execution.
For Fellow Product People¶
If you're in product development, digital transformation, or any kind of technical work, my advice is simple:
Get your hands dirty.
Don't just read about these tools. Use them. Build something. Break something. Learn what works and what doesn't. The people who will thrive in this new landscape aren't necessarily the ones with the most AI knowledge—they're the ones who combine domain expertise with the willingness to experiment.
Have you built something interesting with AI tools? I'd love to hear about it. Get in touch.