GCP – DORA’s new report: Unlock generative AI in software development

How is generative AI actually impacting developers’ daily work, team dynamics, and organizational outcomes? We’ve moved beyond simply asking if organizations are using AI, and instead are focusing on how they’re using it.

That’s why we’re excited to share DORA’s Impact of Generative AI in Software Development report. Based on extensive data and developer interviews, the report moves beyond the hype to offer perspective on AI’s impact on individuals, teams, and organizations.

Let’s take a look at some of the highlights – research-backed ways organizations are already benefitting from AI in their software development, plus five actionable ways to maximize AI’s benefits while mitigating potential risks.

Understanding the real-world impact

Our research shows real productivity gains, organizational benefits, and grassroots adoption of AI.Here are just a few of the key highlights:

• The AI imperative is real: A staggering 89% of organizations are prioritizing the integration of AI into their applications, and 76% of technologists are already using AI in some part of their daily work. This signals both top-down and grassroots adoption solidifying the fact that this isn’t a future trend; it’s happening now.

• Productivity gains confirmed: Developers using gen AI report significant increases in flow, productivity, and job satisfaction. For instance, a 25% increase in AI adoption is associated with a 2.1% increase in individual productivity.

• Organizational benefits are tangible: Beyond individual gains, we found strong correlations between AI adoption and improvements in crucial organizational metrics. A 25% increase in AI adoption is associated with increases in document quality, code quality, code review speed and approval speed.

How to maximize AI adoption and impact

So how do you make the most of AI in your software development? The report explores five practical approaches for both leaders and practitioners:

1. Have transparent communications: Our research suggests that organizations that apply this strategy can gain an estimated 11.4% increase in team adoption of AI.

2. Empower developers with learning and experimentation: Our research shows that giving developers dedicated time during work hours to explore AI leads to a 131% increase in team AI adoption.

3. Establish clear policies: Our data suggest that organizations with clear AI acceptable-use policies see a 451% increase in AI adoption compared to those without.

4. Rethink performance metrics: Shift the focus from hours worked to outcomes and value delivered. Acknowledge the labor involved in effectively working with AI, including prompt engineering and refining AI-generated output.

5. Embrace fast feedback loops: Implement mechanisms that enable faster feedback for continuous integration, code reviews, and testing. These loops are becoming even more critical as we venture into workflows with AI agents.

The future of software development is here

Generative AI is poised to revolutionize software development. But realizing its full potential requires a strategic, thoughtful, and human-centered approach.

Download the full report, Impact of Generative AI in Software Development, today and learn how to effectively utilize AI for your team and your organization.