AI Skill Threat and Developer Thriving in Software Development

This research report presents an empirical study conducted by The Developer Success Lab, focusing on the transition of software developers to AI-assisted coding. The study involved over 3000 software engineers from various industries and aims to address the challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI in software development. It introduces the concept of AI Skill Threat, which encapsulates the fears and anxieties developers face regarding the obsolescence of their skills in the context of rapidly evolving AI technologies. The report outlines a framework for Developer Thriving, emphasizing the importance of learning culture and belonging within teams to mitigate AI Skill Threat. Additionally, it highlights emerging equity gaps in the experiences of different demographic groups, particularly Racially Minoritized, female, and LGBTQ+ developers. The report concludes with the introduction of a Generative-AI Adoption Toolkit designed to assist organizations in fostering a supportive environment for developers as they navigate the integration of AI in their workflows.