Exploring the Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Software Development in the IT Sector: Preliminary Findings on Productivity, Efficiency and Job Security

2025-08-22

AI Summary

This study investigates the multifaceted impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on software development in the IT industry. Employing a mixed-methods design, we first conducted expert interviews to develop a theoretical framework, followed by a large-scale survey (N = XXX) integrating correlational analysis and qualitative insights. Results indicate that 97% of IT professionals currently use GenAI—predominantly ChatGPT—with significant gains in individual productivity. Organizational efficiency exhibits a moderate positive correlation with GenAI adoption intensity (r = .470). However, occupational insecurity concurrently intensifies and shows a strong positive correlation with adoption level (r = .549). This study provides the first empirical evidence of the paradoxical tension between GenAI-driven efficiency gains and eroded job security. Findings offer critical evidence to inform organizational human–AI collaboration strategies and employee adaptive support policies.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Other Foundations of Human Computation & AI
• Philosophy and Ethics of AI: Artificial General Intelligence
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Computational Creativity

Application Category

• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Trust and reliance of crowd workers and data experts on GenAI
• Social Networks and Social Media: Generative AI / large language models and their impact on social systems
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Generative AI on software development within the IT sector through a mixed-method approach, utilizing a survey developed based on expert interviews. The preliminary results of an ongoing survey offer early insights into how Generative AI reshapes personal productivity, organizational efficiency, adoption, business strategy and job insecurity. The findings reveal that 97% of IT workers use Generative AI tools, mainly ChatGPT. Participants report significant personal productivity gain and perceive organizational efficiency improvements that correlate positively with Generative AI adoption by their organizations (r = .470, p < .05). However, increased organizational adoption of AI strongly correlates with heightened employee job security concerns (r = .549, p < .001). Key adoption challenges include inaccurate outputs (64.2%), regulatory compliance issues (58.2%) and ethical concerns (52.2%). This research offers early empirical insights into Generative AI's economic and organizational implications.

Problem

• Investigating Generative AI's impact on software development productivity
• Examining organizational efficiency improvements through AI adoption rates
• Assessing job security concerns linked to AI implementation challenges

Innovation

• Mixed-method approach with expert-informed survey
• Analyzing productivity and efficiency correlations
• Identifying adoption challenges and job concerns