Artificial intelligence has quickly become a near-universal tool for people working in the tech industry, according to a new Google study.
The research, conducted by Google’s DORA division and based on 5,000 responses from professionals worldwide, shows that 90% of tech workers now use AI in their jobs—a jump of 14% compared to last year. Many rely on AI for tasks like writing or refining code.
The rapid uptake comes amid a broader debate about AI’s impact on jobs and the economy. Back in May, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned that AI could fuel higher unemployment. Others in the industry have downplayed those fears, but there is evidence that entry-level software roles are becoming harder to find, especially against the backdrop of widespread tech layoffs.
Google, like many competitors, is betting big on AI-powered software development. The company offers coding tools that range from free versions to premium subscriptions costing up to $45 per month, designed to help generate code or deploy AI “agents” to manage development tasks. Competitors include Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and fast-growing startups like Replit and Anysphere, whose valuations are climbing as demand for AI tools grows.
Inside Google, AI has become nearly unavoidable. Ryan J. Salva, who leads efforts around products such as Gemini Code Assist, said AI is now built into processes across the company—from documentation to code editors.
“If you are an engineer at Google, it is unavoidable that you will be using AI as part of your daily work,” Salva told CNN.
Still, not everyone is fully confident in the results. Survey responses show mixed trust levels:
- 46% of tech professionals “somewhat” trust AI-generated code.
- 23% trust it “a little.”
- 20% trust it “a lot.”
When it comes to quality, 31% said AI “slightly improved” their code, while 30% felt it had “no impact.”
Salva describes today’s AI as being between “stage three and four” on a five-level scale—beyond simple text prediction but not yet at the point where vague instructions can fully guide development. For now, AI can troubleshoot across systems but still requires human oversight and safety checks.
The timing is tough for new graduates. Data from the New York Fed shows that unemployment for recent computer science and engineering graduates is higher than for majors like art history or English. On Indeed, listings for software engineering jobs dropped by 71% between February 2022 and August 2025.
Even so, optimism persists. Recent graduates told CNN they remain hopeful about long-term career opportunities, though they recognize the profession is shifting. One graduate, Julio Rodriguez, said he submitted more than 150 applications before securing a job.
Salva believes AI won’t replace the most critical aspects of software development but will ease repetitive tasks. That said, he admits some of the surge in adoption is driven by buzz.
“Software development is a fashion industry… We’re all chasing the next style of jeans,” he said. “And when there’s that much conversation about it, everyone’s just excited to try the new thing.”
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