AI usage among tech workers jumps from 14% to 90%, Google study reveals

Google’s research arm has found that 90% of technology workers are now using artificial intelligence in their daily work, representing a dramatic surge from just 14% last year. The findings underscore how rapidly AI tools have become integral to software development, even as questions persist about their reliability and impact on entry-level employment in the tech sector.

What you should know: The study surveyed 5,000 technology professionals globally and reveals the scale of AI adoption in coding and development work.

• Google’s DORA research division conducted the survey, showing AI usage jumped from 14% to 90% year-over-year among tech workers.
• Workers are primarily using AI for tasks like writing and modifying code, with Google’s Ryan Salva noting that “if you are an engineer at Google, it is unavoidable that you will be using AI as part of your daily work.”
• The technology has been embedded into everything from documentation writing to code editors across Google’s teams.

Trust levels remain mixed: Despite widespread adoption, tech professionals express varying degrees of confidence in AI-generated code quality.

• Only 20% of survey respondents said they trust AI-generated code “a lot,” while 46% trust it “somewhat” and 23% trust it only “a little.”
• Regarding impact on code quality, 31% said AI “slightly improved” it, while 30% reported “no impact.”
• Salva rates current AI software development capabilities between stage three and four on a five-point scale, meaning AI can troubleshoot across systems but still requires human review and “lots of safety nets.”

Entry-level workers face headwinds: The AI boom coincides with challenging job market conditions for new tech graduates.

• The unemployment rate for recent computer science and computer engineering graduates now exceeds that of art history and English majors, according to The New York Fed.
• Job listings for software engineering roles on Indeed dropped 71% between February 2022 and August 2024.
• Recent graduate Julio Rodriguez told CNN he applied to more than 150 jobs before securing a position, though he remains optimistic about future prospects.

Competitive landscape heats up: Google faces intense competition in the AI-assisted development space as companies rush to capitalize on the trend.

• Google offers coding tools ranging from free options to $45 monthly subscriptions for code generation and software development agents.
• Rivals include established players like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, as well as specialized AI coding startups such as Replit and Anysphere.
• These coding-focused startups are seeing their valuations soar as enterprise adoption accelerates.

What they’re saying: Industry leaders acknowledge both the promise and hype surrounding AI adoption in software development.

• “Software development is a fashion industry… We’re all chasing the next style of jeans,” Salva explained. “And when there’s that much conversation about it, everyone’s just excited to try the new thing.”
• Salva believes critical aspects of software development cannot be automated and that AI will primarily streamline mundane tasks rather than replace human developers entirely.