A recent Google study reveals significant changes in software engineering practices due to AI integration, particularly focusing on the impact of AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot and Google’s CodeWhisperer. The research suggests that by 2025, software engineering will undergo substantial transformation, with AI tools becoming integral to development workflows. The study highlights that developers are increasingly relying on AI for code generation, debugging, and documentation, leading to improved productivity and code quality. However, it also emphasizes the need for new skills, including prompt engineering and AI tool evaluation. The research indicates that traditional coding practices are evolving, with developers spending more time reviewing and refining AI-generated code rather than writing everything from scratch. Security and code quality remain primary concerns, requiring developers to maintain strong fundamental programming knowledge to effectively validate AI outputs. The study predicts that software engineering education and training will need significant updates to incorporate AI-focused skills while maintaining core programming principles. Google’s findings suggest that while AI won’t replace developers, it will fundamentally change how they work, requiring a balance between leveraging AI capabilities and maintaining human oversight. The research concludes that organizations need to prepare for this shift by updating their development practices, training programs, and quality assurance processes to effectively integrate AI tools into their software development lifecycle.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/google-study-software-engineering-changing-ai-2025-9