From ABC to AI: Applying Language Acquisition to R and Technical Mastery

I am excited to be speaking at posit::conf(2026)!

My talk, From ABC to AI: Applying Language Acquisition to R and Technical Mastery, explores a question I have been thinking about a lot:

When AI can write so much of our code, how do we make sure we are still learning?

Long before I learned R, I learned English as a second language. Looking back, I realized that the way I learned a language offers a surprisingly useful framework for learning technical skills in the age of AI.

In the talk, I explore three stages of learning:

Imitate → Internalize → Transfer

At each stage, our relationship with AI should change. Early on, AI can help us imitate good examples and get started quickly. As we develop understanding, it can challenge our thinking and help us recognize patterns. Eventually, we need to transfer what we have learned to new problems and know when to let AI step back.

The goal isn’t to use AI less. It is to use AI in ways that help us move from getting an answer to developing mastery.

If you are at posit::conf(2026), I hope to see you there!