Since Generative AI tools first hit the market three years ago, there has been no shortage of discussion about their impact in the workplace. Speculation has ranged from predictions of mass automation to the emergence of entirely new job categories—and much remains uncertain. But one thing we do know is that AI has already changed software development: it's no longer just a theoretical conversation.

Developers were among the first professions to recognize the potential of AI and adapt—and Dev Barometer, a new quarterly survey from nearshore software development company BairesDev, reveals just how rapidly the industry is evolving. Not only does it find that the average developer is writing nearly one-quarter (23.5%) of their code with AI assistance, but it also indicates that 65% of developers now worry about falling behind on AI skills.

So, how exactly are developers using AI in 2025? And is it changing their working life for the better? Below, we look at five main ways that AI has reshaped software development.

1. Dramatic time savings

AI tools have become deeply embedded in the daily workflows of developers, who utilize them to enhance productivity. According to the Dev Barometer, the average developer surveyed is saving more than seven hours a week by using AI tools for coding. That's almost a full workday.

Google's DORA 2025 report underscores this trend, showing that AI adoption among software development professionals has now surged to 90% worldwide, marking a 14% increase from last year. What was once an experimental add-on is now a standard part of the workflow.

2. Prioritizing higher-level tasks

Dev Barometer also found that 62% of developers see AI as a way to automate repetitive tasks so they can focus on more ambitious technical work, including architecture and creative problem-solving. The other two opportunities they've identified for their career are becoming an AI/ML specialist (45%) and a prompt engineer (44%).

Time spent on higher-level tasks isn't just about efficiency—it's about job satisfaction. It can lead to greater professional growth, which may be why the survey also found that most developers (76%) say AI makes their work more fulfilling.

3. Reinvesting time in new skills

Time is the currency developers value most, and AI is giving some of it back. However, many are reinvesting those reclaimed hours into upskilling. On average, developers now dedicate nearly four hours a week upskilling and learning new technologies—time that many say they would not have without AI's productivity boosts.

That matters because the demands of the profession are changing quickly. Analyst firm Gartner predicts that by 2027, 80% of the software engineering workforce will need to upskill to meet the demands of new roles shaped by AI. Therefore, developers who use efficiency gains to prepare for the future are ahead of the curve.

4. Learning faster with AI

Crucially, AI isn't just saving developers time—it's helping them learn faster. In the Dev Barometer, developers surveyed pointed out three key benefits to using AI, including faster coding (65%), accelerated learning (48%), and increased productivity (45%).

Last year's Stack Overflow global study found that 62% of developers said AI speeds up the learning process. Whether they're mastering a new language, learning a new framework, or deepening their understanding of existing tools, developers are increasingly turning to AI as an on-demand learning partner.

5. Utilizing remote work opportunities

Remote and hybrid models are now the global norm in tech, with more than 80% of developers working outside traditional offices, according to Stack Overflow's 2025 survey. While the shift to remote work was already underway, AI is making it more sustainable—streamlining collaboration and reducing friction in distributed teams.

Remote work has also allowed developers who are located outside traditional tech hubs (or in underrepresented regions) to work on cutting-edge global projects. Nearly 8 in 10 developers in the Dev Barometer said that remote work made their careers possible, while 59% cite increased access to global job opportunities as one of the top three benefits.

The AI era is no longer a distant future. It's already changing how developers work, learn, and grow. Time saved through AI is being reinvested into strategic learning and upskilling, helping developers climb the skills ladder faster than ever. Remote work is dismantling traditional geographic barriers, enabling a more inclusive and globally distributed AI workforce.

And rather than rendering developers obsolete, AI is reshaping the role of the software engineer into something more creative, analytical, and dynamic. One thing is clear: developers who move with AI and not against it are the ones best positioned to lead in this new era of software development.