Google Study Finds 90% of Tech Employees Rely on AI at Work

New York — Artificial intelligence is no longer optional in the tech world. A new Google study shows that 90% of technology workers now use AI at work, a 14% increase compared to last year.

The survey, conducted by Google’s DORA (DevOps Research and Assessment) division, gathered insights from over 5,000 professionals worldwide. It reveals how deeply AI coding assistants, automation tools, and generative AI have embedded themselves into the daily workflow of developers and engineers.

AI Becomes a Daily Tool in Software Development

From writing and modifying code to generating documentation, AI has become a cornerstone of the modern development cycle. Google’s own teams rely heavily on Gemini Code Assist and other AI-powered coding tools.

Ryan J. Salva, who oversees Google’s AI coding products, explained:

“If you are an engineer at Google, it is unavoidable that you will be using AI as part of your daily work.”

This shift isn’t limited to Google. Competitors like Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and fast-growing startups like Replit and Anysphere are racing to capture the booming AI software development market.

A Mixed Bag: Trust and Quality Concerns

Despite widespread adoption, trust in AI coding tools remains uneven.

46% of professionals said they “somewhat” trust AI-generated code.
23% only trust it “a little.”
20% said they trust it “a lot.”

When it comes to outcomes:

31% said AI “slightly improved” code quality.
30% saw “no impact.”

AI is powerful, but still needs human review, debugging, and safety checks. Salva noted that AI software is at “stage three to four” out of five — capable of troubleshooting across systems, but not ready for full autonomy.

The Job Market Shift: Trouble for New Grads

While AI improves productivity for senior engineers, it may be hurting entry-level opportunities.

The unemployment rate for recent computer science grads is now higher than in fields like art history and English.
Software engineering job listings on Indeed dropped 71% between February 2022 and August 2025.
Many graduates are sending out hundreds of applications before landing jobs.

Julio Rodriguez, a new computer science graduate, told CNN:

“I applied to more than 150 jobs before I finally landed one.”

This highlights a growing tension: AI is boosting efficiency but also shrinking entry-level demand.

The AI Hype Cycle in Tech

Salva admits some of the adoption spike comes from buzz and hype.

“Software development is a fashion industry,” he said. “We’re all chasing the next style of jeans. And when there’s that much conversation about AI, everyone’s just excited to try the new thing.”

Still, even with hype, most experts agree AI is here to stay. While routine coding may be automated, critical problem-solving, creative architecture, and system design remain firmly in human hands.

FAQs

1. Will AI replace software engineers completely?

No. AI can automate repetitive tasks, but human oversight, creativity, and problem-solving remain essential.

2. What AI tools are most popular among developers?

Google Gemini Code Assist, GitHub Copilot, OpenAI Codex, and tools from startups like Replit and Anysphere.

3. Is AI making it harder for new grads to find jobs?

Yes, data shows entry-level opportunities are shrinking, but AI also creates new roles in AI integration, model fine-tuning, and prompt engineering.

4. How much do AI coding tools cost?

They range from free versions to premium subscriptions around $45/month, depending on features.

5. What skills should developers learn in the AI era?

Focus on AI literacy, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data engineering, and system architecture — areas AI cannot fully replace.

90% of Tech Workers Now Use AI on the Job, Google Study Finds