Software engineer and Google executive Addy Osmani has published a comprehensive analysis of how AI is changing software development, while highlighting important limitations of current AI coding tools. The findings reveal that AI assistants can help developers achieve about 70% of coding tasks quickly but struggle with the remaining complex aspects of software engineering.
The study identifies two main patterns in AI-assisted development: “bootstrappers” who use AI to rapidly create initial prototypes, and “iterators” who employ AI tools for daily development tasks. While tools like Copilot and Cursor have shown impressive capabilities in code generation, Osmani emphasizes that experienced developers benefit more from these tools than beginners due to their ability to verify and correct AI-generated code.
According to the research, approximately 75% of developers now use AI tools in their work. However, the technology’s limitations become apparent when dealing with complex debugging, system architecture, and maintenance tasks that require human expertise and judgment.
Osmani predicts that 2025 will see the rise of more sophisticated AI coding agents that can work more autonomously while still requiring human oversight. He stresses that successful software development will continue to require human skills in system design, requirement specification, and quality assurance.
The study concludes that while AI tools significantly speed up certain coding tasks, they don’t eliminate the need for experienced software engineers. In fact, the complexity of maintaining AI-generated code might increase demand for senior developers who can effectively guide and correct AI systems while maintaining code quality and security.