Twisted Games: A First Experience of Inclusion of AI tools in First Year Programming Classes

The recent rapid advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) and the increasing availability of AI-powered tools have underscored the need for the current generation of programmers to learn how to effectively collaborate with AI from the early stages of their university education. This paper explores the integration of AI tools into a first-year programming course through the implementation of modified classic games (4 in a row with L-shapes, 3-player Battleship, etc.). The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of AI assistance on students’ ability to define and adapt requirements for novel software applications, while also fostering an understanding of the power and limitations of AI in the classroom. The results reveal a positive student experience, with participants reporting increased confidence in utilizing AI tools for requirements elicitation and recognizing the potential benefits for their future careers. In addition, it highlighted the need to train students in developing skills for requirement identification, prompt creation, and testing and debugging the code.