GoKawiilBlogger Huahai rebuts Rich Hickey's claim that AI tools aren't really 'tools'
In an October 12, 2026 post, writer Huahai responds to Rich Hickey's essay arguing that LLMs count as automation rather than tools because they can't be 'wielded.' Huahai counters that LLMs can be directed, corrected, and refined by users just like saws, chisels, compilers, or spreadsheets, and that unpredictability doesn't disqualify something from being a tool. The post argues that using an LLM well, through iterative feedback and judgment, requires genuine skill.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The exchange reflects a broader debate among programmers about how to categorize AI assistants within existing frameworks for craft and tooling, which could shape how developers justify or resist integrating LLMs into their workflows. Huahai's argument suggests that dismissing LLMs as mere automation might understate the skill and judgment required to use them effectively, though this remains a matter of interpretation rather than settled fact.
- Huahai disputes Rich Hickey's October 11 essay claiming LLMs are automation, not tools.
- The rebuttal argues predictability and simplicity are not prerequisites for something to qualify as a tool.
- Huahai likens effective LLM use to a feedback loop requiring human intention, skill, and correction, similar to using compilers or spreadsheets.
Source: yyhh.org, 2026-10-12
Published there as: “AI Is a Tool. Using It Well Takes Skill.”
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