AI Tools Slow Down Experienced Developers, Contrary to Expectations

A recent study reveals that experienced software developers using AI tools experienced a 19% increase in task completion time, contradicting widespread assumptions about AI-driven productivity gains. The research focused on developers proficient in open-source projects who predominantly used the Cursor AI tool.

Despite initial expectations of a 24% reduction in task time, and post-task beliefs of a 20% improvement, the data showed a significant slowdown. Lead researchers Joel Becker and Nate Rush expressed surprise, with Rush having anticipated a 2x speedup prior to the experiment.

The findings challenge prevailing industry narratives about AI's immediate productivity benefits for engineers. While not addressing job displacement concerns directly, the results underscore the nascent understanding of AI's real-world impact on technical workflows.