News

Study Finds AI Tools Boost Developer Productivity, But Benefits Vary by Task Complexity

• By John K. Waters
• 08/26/2025

Artificial intelligence tools are widely adopted among software developers and are perceived to boost productivity, although the benefits vary significantly based on task complexity and team adoption levels, according to new research from Microsoft and its academic partners.

A study of more than 500 developers found that 75% regularly utilize AI tools in their work, with 90% of users reporting an increase in productivity. The research, conducted by Microsoft researchers and the MIT Sloan School of Management, examined AI's impact across multiple productivity dimensions, including coding speed, beyond its impact on coding speed.

The findings come as organizations debate the return on investment of AI in software development. While previous studies focused primarily on coding task completion times, this research applied the SPACE framework, measuring Satisfaction, Performance, Activity, Collaboration, and Efficiency.

Task-Dependent Benefits
Developers reported that AI excels at routine and repetitive tasks but struggles with complex problem-solving. Study participants described AI as handling "tedious work" while leaving them to solve "all the hard problems."

A separate controlled experiment found that developers using GitHub Copilot completed HTTP server implementation tasks 55.8% faster than those without AI assistance. The productivity gains were most pronounced among less-experienced developers, older programmers, and those who code more frequently.

Team Adoption Matters
The research revealed that team-wide adoption of AI significantly influences individual productivity perceptions. Developers on teams where all members use AI tools were 94% likely to view their team as productive, compared to 79% where only some members adopt AI.

Organizations actively supporting AI adoption see seven times higher daily usage rates among developers compared to companies without clear advocacy, the study found.

Mixed Impact on Collaboration
While 88% of AI users reported improved task throughput and 82% cited better efficiency, only 48% agreed that AI enhanced collaboration with teammates. However, qualitative interviews suggested AI is changing collaboration patterns rather than diminishing them.

Engineering managers reported fewer interruptions as developers relied less on colleagues for basic coding questions, with conversations shifting toward higher-value architectural discussions.

Limitations and Challenges
The study identified several limitations to the effectiveness of AI. Current safeguards work well for routine interactions but can degrade during extended problem-solving sessions. Developers have noted that working with AI requires new skills, including the formulation of effective prompts and the critical evaluation of AI-generated suggestions.

The research was based on surveys conducted in August 2024, with over 80% of participants from Microsoft and additional respondents from companies including Meta, Netflix, and Reddit.

Industry Implications
The findings suggest AI tools are augmenting rather than replacing developers, contradicting concerns about widespread job displacement. Only 10% of software engineers express worry that AI might eliminate their roles, according to the research.
However, the study noted that developers spend just 14% of their time writing new code, indicating that productivity gains from coding assistance represent only part of the overall development process.

The research recommends organizations invest in AI training and establish best practices to maximize adoption benefits, while teams should focus on knowledge sharing and collaborative AI integration strategies.