A new report has found that artificial intelligence is now used by 90% of software development professionals, a significant increase that signals a fundamental shift in how technology is created. The findings come from the 2025 DORA report, an annual study that surveyed nearly 5,000 technology professionals worldwide to understand current industry trends.
The research, titled "State of AI-assisted Software Development," indicates that AI is no longer an experimental tool but a core component of daily workflows for developers, product managers, and other technology specialists. This widespread adoption is linked to major gains in productivity and efficiency across the industry.
Key Takeaways
- AI adoption among software professionals has surged to 90%, a 14% increase from the previous year.
- Over 80% of respondents reported that using AI has enhanced their personal productivity.
- A "trust paradox" exists where many users find AI outputs valuable despite not fully trusting their accuracy.
- The report introduces a new model with seven capabilities to help organizations maximize AI's impact beyond simple tool adoption.
A Near-Universal Tool in Modern Development
The 2025 DORA report confirms that AI has become deeply embedded in the software development lifecycle. The data shows a 14% rise in adoption from the previous year, bringing the total number of professionals using AI to nine out of ten.
This integration is not superficial. According to the study, these professionals spend a median of two hours each day working directly with AI tools. This daily interaction highlights a growing dependence on AI for a range of tasks fundamental to building and maintaining software.
Deep Reliance on AI
The survey revealed that 65% of technology professionals now rely heavily on AI for their work. This figure is composed of 37% who report a "moderate amount" of reliance, 20% who rely on it "a lot," and 8% who describe their reliance as "a great deal."
This shift from occasional use to daily reliance demonstrates how quickly AI has transitioned from a novelty to an indispensable assistant in the technology sector. The findings suggest that proficiency with AI tools is becoming a standard skill for software professionals.
Productivity Gains and Quality Improvements
The primary driver behind the rapid adoption of AI appears to be its significant impact on performance. An overwhelming majority of survey respondents, over 80%, stated that AI has directly enhanced their personal productivity.
These gains are not limited to speed alone. The quality of work is also seen as a major area of improvement. The report found that 59% of professionals believe AI has had a positive influence on the quality of the code they produce. This suggests that AI tools are helping developers write cleaner, more efficient, and less error-prone code.
At an organizational level, the report identified a positive trend that reverses last year's findings. AI adoption is now correlated with higher software delivery throughput, meaning teams are able to release more applications and updates. However, the report cautions that a key challenge remains: ensuring the reliability and correctness of software before it reaches end-users.
The Trust and Performance Paradox
Despite the clear benefits and widespread use, a notable level of skepticism toward AI persists among its users. The DORA report uncovered what it calls a "trust paradox," where high utility coexists with incomplete confidence.
While many professionals find AI-generated outputs useful, their trust in the accuracy of those outputs is not absolute. The data shows a split in confidence levels:
- High Trust: 24% of respondents reported having "a lot" (20%) or "a great deal" (4%) of trust in AI.
- Low Trust: 30% of respondents said they trust AI "a little" (23%) or "not at all" (7%).
This discrepancy suggests that professionals are integrating AI as a powerful assistant rather than a replacement for human oversight. The outputs are seen as a starting point or a way to accelerate tasks, but final judgment and verification still rest with the human developer.
"This could also imply that AI is being incorporated into workflows as a supportive tool to enhance productivity and efficiency, rather than serving as a full substitute for human judgment," the report states.
Organizational Impact and Team Dynamics
The report emphasizes that the effects of AI are not uniform across all organizations. The technology acts as both a "mirror and a multiplier," amplifying the existing strengths and weaknesses within a team's culture and processes.
In well-organized, cohesive teams, AI boosts efficiency and collaboration. Conversely, in fragmented or dysfunctional environments, it can expose and even worsen existing problems. To better understand these dynamics, the research identified seven distinct team archetypes, moving beyond simple performance metrics.
Team Archetypes
The report introduces profiles ranging from "Harmonious high-achievers" to teams stuck in a "Legacy bottleneck." This framework provides a more human-centric way for organizations to assess their readiness for AI and identify specific areas for improvement.
This analysis shows that successful AI integration depends heavily on the underlying health of an organization. Simply providing tools is not enough to guarantee positive results.
A Framework for Successful AI Integration
Recognizing that tool adoption alone does not ensure success, the 2025 DORA report introduces a new blueprint for organizations. The DORA AI Capabilities Model outlines seven essential capabilities required to amplify the impact of artificial intelligence.
This model is based on extensive research and identifies a combination of technical and cultural factors that are critical for success. It provides organizations with data-backed guidance on how to move beyond basic implementation to achieve transformative results.
The central message is clear: to fully realize the potential of AI, organizations must be willing to evolve. This involves adapting their culture, refining their processes, and updating their systems to support a new era of software development powered by human-AI collaboration. The report serves as a guide for leaders aiming to navigate this complex but rewarding transition.