Can AI Replace the Effort of Reading Code?

A recent discussion on Hacker News and GitHub has sparked a debate: can AI truly replace the need for developers to read and understand code manually? The consensus among the community is clear—while AI tools can assist, understanding code still requires doing the hard work yourself. Many developers argue that AI-generated summaries or explanations cannot substitute the deep comprehension gained from reading code line by line. The conversation highlights the limitations of current AI models in grasping context, edge cases, and project-specific nuances. In short, AI is a helpful assistant, but not a replacement for a developer's own analytical skills.