tech
Developers say AI coding tools work—and that's precisely what worries them
Ars spoke to several software devs about AI and found enthusiasm tempered by unease.
TL;DR
- AI coding tools have evolved to write code, run tests, and fix bugs, with some capable of building applications from prompts.
- Professional developers largely agree the technology works but are divided on its benefits and risks.
- Some developers report significant speed improvements and the ability to undertake projects previously deemed too time-consuming.
- Concerns exist about AI generating technical debt and 'vibe coding' due to a lack of full understanding of the generated code.
- The role of developers may shift from creation to supervision, potentially threatening junior positions.
- AI tools are seen as valuable for modernizing legacy codebases where original developers are unavailable.
- Adoption of advanced AI tools in large corporations is hindered by legal and data security reviews, leading to the use of more limited models.