The AI Reckoning / Chapter 16

New Apprenticeship Checklist

Build judgment through reading, testing, user contact, and supported operational work.

Download printable PDFOne page · Updated October 20, 2026

For the engineer

Trace one feature in code you did not write, from user action to stored data and response.
Inspect a permitted, sanitized dataset. Compare your conclusions with an AI-assisted analysis and investigate differences.
Sketch your approach before asking AI for alternatives. Explain why you keep or reject each suggestion.
Watch a user perform a real task. Compare their expectations with what the system does.
Take a bounded integration or maintenance task with review from an experienced engineer.
Shadow an incident or on-call rotation with a mentor and clear escalation support. Do not take sole responsibility before you are ready.

Mix implementation work with diagnosis, tests, documentation, and conversations with users.
Review reasoning and evidence, not just the volume of output. Give time to read and ask questions.
Use the reading list in Chapter 6 and Appendix B as material for discussion and practice.

This month I understood and changed: …. My reviewer and next practice: ….

Use the printable worksheet to keep your notes and evidence with your team.