A.I. Is Prompting an Evolution, Not an Extinction, for Coders
New York TimesFEB 11
Study: AI Tools Slow Down Experienced Developers by 19%
Above: Ian Collins, CEO of software developer Wysdom.AI, in his home office in Markham, Canada on June 13, 2023. Image copyright: Lance McMillan/Toronto Star via Getty Images
The Spin
Techno-skeptic narrative
This study exposes a critical flaw in the AI hype surrounding software development. Experienced developers who know their codebases intimately are being slowed down by AI tools that generate mediocre code requiring constant review and correction. The 19% productivity loss suggests that AI isn't the silver bullet promised by tech companies selling these expensive tools to unsuspecting businesses.
Techno-optimist narrative
The study reveals important limitations but doesn't invalidate AI's potential in software development. These tools are still evolving rapidly, and the learning curve for effective AI-assisted coding is steeper than expected. The future belongs to developers who can effectively combine AI assistance with human expertise, not those who reject these powerful tools entirely.