The Register: AI coding tools make developers slower but they think they’re faster, study finds

Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/11/ai_code_tools_slow_down/
Source: The Register
Title: AI coding tools make developers slower but they think they’re faster, study finds

Feedly Summary: Predicted a 24% boost, but clocked a 19% drag
Artificial intelligence coding tools are supposed to make software development faster, but researchers who tested these tools in a randomized, controlled trial found the opposite.…

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text discusses the unexpected results of a study on artificial intelligence coding tools that were expected to enhance software development efficiency. Instead of increasing productivity, the researchers found a decrease in development speed, which brings into question the effectiveness of these AI tools for software engineering tasks.

Detailed Description:
The text highlights findings from a study concerning the impact of artificial intelligence coding tools on software development. While the initial prediction was for a 24% increase in productivity, the study revealed a 19% decrease in software development speed. This presents significant implications for the future use of AI in coding environments and poses questions about the integration of AI tools in professional workflows.

– **Key Points:**
– The research employed a randomized, controlled trial approach to effectively gather data on the performance of AI coding tools.
– Initial expectations suggested substantial improvements (24% boost) in developer productivity.
– The actual findings indicated a decrease (19% drag) in the software development process, challenging the perceived advantages of AI in this domain.
– This discrepancy suggests that reliance on AI coding tools may not lead to desired outcomes and could complicate coding tasks rather than simplifying them.

The results urge professionals in software security and development to reassess the integration of AI tools in their workflows, considering the potential for decreased productivity and the need for effective training and implementation strategies. The findings may also influence future research in AI development and the evaluation of coding tool effectiveness in real-world applications.