> Code _is_ a means to an end, but well-engineered code is a more reliable means than what AI currently generates.

AI can help you make well-engineered code, but you have to ask for it because it's not what it will do by default. Prompt it with "Figure out how this crappy piece of code really works and document it in depth. Propose viable refactorings that could improve code quality" and it will do a much better job than the usual vibe-coded result.