AI Gives Developers More Power, but Raises Workload and Role Questions

Artificial intelligence tools are now widely used to write software code, but their growing role is raising questions about developers’ responsibilities, workload and job satisfaction.

McKinsey’s The State of AI in 2026 report says 80% of AI users believe the technology has improved their individual productivity, while 50% say it helps them make better decisions. The source article notes that some developers report AI fatigue from managing multiple agents, switching between tasks and reviewing the code those agents produce.

Using AI can shift developers’ work toward directing agents, checking their output and giving feedback. Running five agents at once may produce five times as much code, but that also means more code to review and approve. The article argues that this can move bottlenecks rather than remove them, particularly when tools are designed for individual use instead of team workflows.

It suggests integrating agents across the development process, including review and validation, while leaving people to focus on areas such as project scoping, architecture and system design. The article also questions whether familiar measures such as lines of code and velocity capture the value of AI-assisted work.

Because AI can make authorship less clear, developers may feel that the tools are doing the “real work.” The author argues that successful adoption depends on workflow integration and team culture, including how contributions are recognized and whether workers can discuss frustration. The piece is a TechRadar Pro Perspectives article by Greg Qualls; its views are the author’s and are not necessarily those of TechRadar Pro or Future plc.