A recent experiment explored whether artificial intelligence tools actually improve productivity in the workplace, especially for software developers. Contrary to popular belief, the findings revealed that when developers used AI assistants on a coding task, they often took longer to complete the work than those who didn’t use AI. This calls into question the assumption that AI always boosts efficiency just by being available.
Participants in the study were given a programming task and divided into two groups: one with access to an AI coding assistant and one without. Surprisingly, the group using AI ended up spending more time on the task. Researchers suggest this happened because developers relied on the AI tool in ways that disrupted their natural workflow, requiring time to interpret suggestions, correct errors in AI output, and decide which recommendations were useful. In some cases, the AI’s guidance introduced confusion instead of clarity.
The results suggest that simply adding AI tools doesn’t guarantee better performance. Productivity gains depend on how well people understand and integrate these tools into their work processes. For tasks that require deep focus and problem-solving, AI might act more like a distraction than an aid if users aren’t trained to leverage its strengths effectively. The study highlights that productivity isn’t just about having tools — it’s about how they are used.
The broader implication is that organizations should be cautious about assuming AI will automatically improve workforce output. Instead, companies may need to invest in training, redesign workflows, and rethink task assignments to truly benefit from AI assistance. This means productivity improvements with AI might be real, but they require intentional strategy rather than blind adoption.
