A recent global survey conducted by Google Cloud’s DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA) team has revealed widespread adoption of artificial intelligence among developers and IT professionals. The 2024 State of DevOps report, which gathered responses from nearly 3,000 technology professionals worldwide, shows that more than 75% of developers now rely on AI for their daily professional tasks.
The survey indicates that developers are using AI tools primarily for code writing, information summarization, and code explanation. Organizations are increasingly investing in AI technology, with 81% of respondents reporting that their companies have redirected technology resources toward AI development.
The research demonstrates several positive outcomes associated with AI adoption in development environments. A 25% increase in AI implementation correlates with multiple improvements, including a 7.5% boost in documentation quality, a 3.4% enhancement in code quality, and a 3.1% acceleration in code review speed. Additional benefits include a 1.3% increase in approval speed and a 1.8% reduction in code complexity. 67% of respondents share that AI is helping them improve their coding.
Trust Issues and Delivery Challenges
Despite these advantages, the survey reveals significant concerns among technology professionals. A notable 39% of respondents expressed having little or no trust in AI-generated code, highlighting a disconnect between AI adoption and developer confidence.
The research also identified challenges related to software delivery performance. According to DORA researchers Nathen Harvey and Derek DeBellis, increased AI adoption correlates with a 1.5% decrease in delivery throughput and a more substantial 7.2% reduction in delivery stability.
The findings suggest that while AI tools can enhance various aspects of development work, they do not automatically lead to improved software delivery without proper development practices in place, such as maintaining small batch sizes and implementing robust testing procedures.
Platform Engineering and Developer Experience
The survey also explored the impact of platform engineering approaches. According to the findings, 89% of respondents utilize internal developer platforms, with organizations reporting an average 6% increase in team productivity when dedicated platform teams are in place.
The researchers emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy development culture, noting that rapid, constant changes can negatively affect developer well-being. They stress that creating a supportive work environment where team members feel valued and empowered is crucial for achieving high performance.
To address the challenges associated with AI adoption, the researchers recommend several measures. These include developing clear guidelines for AI usage, promoting open communication about AI’s impact, and providing developers with dedicated time to experiment with AI tools. Additionally, they suggest focusing AI adoption strategies on empowering employees and reducing routine tasks rather than completely replacing human judgment.
