AI Coding Tools: Are They Really Speeding Up Development?
A recent study has thrown a wrench in the widely held belief that AI tools significantly accelerate software development. Researchers at METR conducted a randomized controlled trial with experienced developers using AI-enhanced tools like Claude 3.5 and Cursor Pro. Surprisingly, they found that developers using AI assistance took 19% longer to complete tasks compared to those who worked without it, despite their belief that they were being more efficient.
The study involved 16 professional developers tackling real-world tasks in mature open-source projects, revealing a stark contrast between perceived productivity and actual outcomes. Factors such as time spent prompting AI, reviewing suggestions, and integrating outputs into complex codebases contributed to this slowdown, highlighting a ‘perception gap’ that could mislead developers and organizations alike.
As we continue to integrate AI into our workflows, this study serves as a crucial reminder to evaluate these tools rigorously. Are we truly enhancing our productivity, or are we simply caught in the allure of perceived efficiency?
Original source: https://www.infoq.com/news/2025/07/ai-productivity/