AI Adoption Becomes Mainstream in Tech
Artificial intelligence has become nearly unavoidable in the tech industry, according to a new Google study. The report, conducted by Google’s DORA research division and based on 5,000 global responses, found that 90% of tech professionals now use AI at work. That marks a sharp 14% increase compared with last year’s findings.
The survey highlights just how deeply AI tools have permeated software development and related tasks. Workers said they use AI for writing code, modifying documentation, and debugging systems. Google executives say the technology has become embedded in nearly every stage of development.
Google Embraces AI Across Teams
Ryan J. Salva, who oversees Google’s Gemini Code Assist and other developer tools, emphasized the technology’s ubiquity. “If you are an engineer at Google, it is unavoidable that you will be using AI as part of your daily work,” he told CNN. Salva noted that AI is now woven into documentation, coding environments, and system troubleshooting.
Google offers a range of tools—from free services to $45 monthly subscriptions—geared toward accelerating development with AI. These tools compete with similar offerings from Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic. Startups like Replit and Anysphere are also gaining traction as companies seek cost-effective AI-powered coding assistants.
Mixed Confidence in AI-Generated Code
Despite its rapid adoption, confidence in AI-generated code remains mixed among developers. Nearly half of survey respondents said they “somewhat” trust the quality of AI outputs, while only 20% said they trust it “a lot.” About 23% admitted to trusting it only “a little.”
When asked about measurable results, 31% said AI slightly improved code quality, while 30% felt it had no impact at all. Analysts say this reflects a growing consensus: AI can accelerate repetitive tasks, but human oversight is still required. Salva described current AI coding capabilities as being between “stage three and four” on a five-point scale.
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Opportunities and Challenges for New Graduates
The AI boom has arrived at a difficult time for many entry-level tech workers. Job listings for software engineers fell by 71% on Indeed between February 2022 and August 2025. The New York Fed also reports higher unemployment among computer science graduates than even humanities fields such as art history and English.
Some graduates remain optimistic despite the challenges. Julio Rodriguez, a recent computer science graduate, told CNN he applied for over 150 jobs before securing a position. Many acknowledge AI is changing the career path itself, requiring workers to adapt quickly.
Balancing Efficiency and Human Judgment
AI tools are helping streamline mundane aspects of coding but are unlikely to replace core creative and strategic work. Salva argues that software development still requires human review, decision-making, and safety checks. He noted that AI thrives when given structured commands but struggles with broader conceptual tasks.
This perspective is shared by many in the industry who see AI as a complement, not a substitute. By handling repetitive tasks, AI frees engineers to focus on innovation, system design, and problem-solving. Still, its growing influence means the skills needed for future roles may evolve dramatically.
Industry Buzz Driving Experimentation
The popularity of AI tools is not just about efficiency—it’s also about hype. Salva compared software development to a fashion industry, with teams constantly chasing the “next style of jeans.” With AI dominating conversations in both boardrooms and coding forums, curiosity is driving widespread experimentation.
That cultural momentum could help sustain AI adoption, even as questions linger over quality, job impact, and long-term value. For now, nearly all of Silicon Valley seems aligned: artificial intelligence is no longer an experiment but a daily fixture of tech work.
