Software Developers
Also called: programmer, coder, developer, software, engineer
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing software developers work
9 of 11 main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Red (lots of AI use) — 82% when main tasks are weighted. This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Consult with customers or other departments on project status, proposals, or technical issues (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Talk with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Determine system performance standards (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Talk with data processing or project managers to obtain information on limitations or capabilities for data processing projects (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Obtain and evaluate information on factors such as reporting formats required, costs, or security needs to determine hardware configuration — some recorded AI use
- Monitor functioning of equipment to make sure system operates in conformance with specifications — no recorded AI use
- Coordinate installation of software system — no recorded AI use
- Supervise the work of programmers, technologists and technicians and other engineering and scientific staff — no recorded AI use
- Supervise and assign work to programmers, designers, technologists, technicians, or other engineering or scientific staff — no recorded AI use
- Train users to use new or modified equipment — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance”. Try the prompt for: “Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints”.
- Weeks 3–4: Make it a habit. Use AI 3 times a week for 15 minutes. Always check facts, numbers and names yourself.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and software developers
Will AI replace software developers?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 9 of the 11 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Red rating (lots of AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 7 of the 17 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which programmer tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance; analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints; design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design.
Which programmer tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: determine system performance standards; talk with data processing or project managers to obtain information on limitations or capabilities for data processing projects; monitor functioning of equipment to make sure system operates in conformance with specifications. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 85% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a programmer start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.