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AI Coding Boosts Productivity? New Studies Say It Slows Developers Down

New studies question generative AI's true impact on coding productivity

From Hacker News Original Article Hacker News Discussion

Coding assistants powered by generative AI are widely seen as a major productivity booster for software developers, but recent research suggests the actual efficiency gains may be overstated or even negative. Multiple studies reveal that while AI tools can ease mental workload and improve enjoyment, they often slow down experienced coders due to the need for extensive code review and correction.

Why it matters: Developers spent more time reviewing and fixing AI-generated code, causing a 19% increase in task completion time despite perceived speedups.

The big picture: AI coding assistants may shift developer focus to more engaging problem-solving but don’t necessarily save overall time or reduce effort.

The other side: Advanced multi-agent AI systems like “ChatDev” show promise by reducing errors through collaborative role specialization but at higher computational costs.

Commenters say: Users express skepticism about AI’s current value, emphasizing the need for better integration and caution about overestimating productivity gains from AI coding tools.