AI is having a net positive effect on software development, augmenting developers rather than replacing them. The use of AI in development has moved from niche experiment to industry norm. Adoption is widespread, with three-quarters of developers regularly using AI and 64% of adopters using it at least weekly. Debate exists about whether AI will replace developers or reduce entry-level opportunities, but developer perspectives emphasize tool use. Productivity impacts are assessed across multiple metrics using the SPACE framework, highlighting shifts in workflows and frequent integration of AI into daily tasks.
Researchers at Microsoft say AI is having a net positive effect on software development, with the technology "augmenting developers rather than replacing them". The claim follows the publication of a examining the use of the technology amidst rising concerns over its impact on the workforce. The use of AI in software development has become a source of "intense debate" in recent months, researchers noted, with some industry stakeholders suggesting it will ultimately replace developers and reduce entry-level opportunities.
"Some believe AI will soon replace entire categories of developer work, while others dismiss it as an overhyped distraction," the study noted. "But amid all the speculation, one perspective is often missing: that of the developers who are actually using these tools". "To better understand how AI is reshaping the developer experience, we conducted a study that asked developers how AI tools are affecting their work," researchers added.
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