Frequency of AI assistants usage for coding worldwide 2023, by feature

In 2023, artificial intelligence (AI) assistants demonstrated their value in software development, especially when it came to debugging. According to the survey, 36 percent of developers relied on these tools to understand code errors and receive suggestions for fixes. Interestingly, code generation was less common, with only 15 percent leveraging AI.

Just a collaborator for now

This trend showcases a shift in how developers interact with AI coding assistants such as Copilot. Instead of relying on them as primary code generators, AI is now considered the best-suited tool in the developer’s toolkit for troubleshooting. They excel at analyzing code structures, pinpointing logical flaws, and proposing solutions that fit within the overall codebase.

Beyond writing code

As AI technology matures, we can expect even greater sophistication in coding assistants. Beyond bug fixing, they could help optimize code for performance, suggest design pattern improvements, and even proactively identify potential security vulnerabilities before they become issues. A collaborative relationship between human developers and their AI assistants will undoubtedly shape the future of software development.