What 49,000 Developers Say About AI Work:
Artificial intelligence is no longer an experiment in software development – it’s the normal everyday skillset and toolset, embedded in almost every micro activity within the SDLC; it’s a core part of how nearly every coder works today. But the real risk for companies in 2026 isn’t that AI will eliminate developers. The risk is that AI will expose poor hiring decisions and reward teams that hire skilled, adaptable engineers (and non-engineering staff).
So let’s try and answer some questions to it:
- What do developers actually think about AI tools?
- How should employers adjust their hiring approach?
- Why will companies that hire the right people with AI skills outperform competitors?
- Developers spend less time on repetitive tasks
- They focus more on system design, architecture, and problem-solving
- And organisations build more, better software with AI as an enabler rather than a substitute
- Skilled developers know how to use AI safely, including how to validate, test, and integrate AI-generated code
- Less experienced developers may produce output that looks fine until it breaks in production
- How do you validate the correctness of AI-generated code?
- Can you show an example where you used AI to debug a complex issue?
- What strategies do you use to integrate AI suggestions into a CI/CD workflow?
- How do you balance AI output with code maintainability and quality?
- Navigate AI in real workflows
- Verify and refine AI output
- Integrate tools into reliable pipelines
AI is Everywhere – But Trust Is Not
According to the 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, based on more than 49,000 responses from developers across 177 countries, AI tools have become deeply embedded in development workflows. Around 84% of developers now use or plan to use AI tools in their daily work, and over 50% use them daily.
However, the data also shows a clear tension: while adoption is widespread, trust in AI output remains low. Many developers don’t fully trust AI-generated code and still rely on human verification, especially for complex tasks.
AI Is Shifting Developer Roles, Not Eliminating Them
Contrary to sensational headlines about AI replacing programmers, research suggests a different trajectory.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley note that AI-assisted coding is likely to expand employment and make developers more strategic, rather than reduce headcount, in the long-run. Firms are increasing software spending and tackling more complex applications, which boosts demand for skilled engineers who can oversee, review, and integrate AI-generated output.
In practice, this means that:
AI is augmenting human capability, but it elevates the value of developers who can use it effectively.
AI Tools Reveal Skill Gaps – Fast
Here’s where the “exposing bad hiring” part comes in.
Because tools like GitHub Copilot, GPT-based code assistants, and other generative models can produce code instantly, the difference between strong and weak developers becomes more visible:
Companies that hired broad generalists or underqualified candidates in a world without AI often got away with it because bad engineers could hide behind human pace limitations. AI accelerates everything, including mistakes.
This means that bad hires stand out sooner, and good hires contribute faster.
What to Ask in Interviews Today
As AI becomes a standard part of workflows, the questions employers ask during hiring should evolve beyond generic coding tests. Instead of asking developers how they feel about AI, focus on real-world application:
These kinds of questions aren’t about opinions – they’re about practical skills.
At GigsRemote, our vetted engineers don’t just use AI tools – they combine them with disciplined practices like robust testing, clear documentation, and peer review. That leads to fast time-to-impact, fewer rework cycles, and higher performance – outcomes companies care about.
AI Doesn’t Replace Developers – It Reveals What We Really Need
The takeaway is simple: AI doesn’t make developers obsolete – it makes bad hiring more obvious.
Teams that hire engineers who can:
Will outperform teams that treat AI as a feature instead of a capability.
In 2026 and beyond, the competitive edge won’t be AI adoption alone – it will be having teams who can use AI well.
And if you want to check out the survey, look no further: https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2025/
