AI is Killing My Passion for Programming :/

I have been programming as a hobby for about 6–7 years. I don’t have a CS degree, but I really want to dive deep even as a hobbyist and specialize in the field of compilers. In recent years, I’ve started learning Rust and I am currently near the end of 'The Rust Programming Language' book. I’ve struggled with ADHD and issues like procrastination, but my desire to learn was so strong that I didn't give up for two years. Even without medication, I developed my own strategies to learn Rust. Since English isn’t my native language, I found a physical copy of a Rust book in my native language and started learning from it. I would get so hyperfocused that I ended up transcribing the entire physical book into digital format without even realizing it (I didn't publish it due to copyright, of course). I am now finishing the book and working on some small projects. I truly want to master Rust and eventually study mathematics (I'm not sure if it's strictly necessary for compilers, but I’m willing) to become an expert in compiler design. However, lately, my friends and colleagues keep dampening my enthusiasm. No matter what project I work on, they tell me, 'AI can do this better than you in 5 minutes,' and it’s really discouraging me. Do you have any advice for me? What should I do? I am someone who genuinely wants this; usually, because of my ADHD, I struggle to focus, but I fall into an incredible state of hyperfocus when it comes to things I love, and programming especially in Rust is one of those things.

I’m not anti-AI using it for repetitive tasks is perfectly normal. In my eyes, it’s just a tool like a turbo-charged search engine. However, some people treat it as something godlike and superhuman, and in doing so, they belittle the value of genuine craftsmanship and the process of learning by doing.