'I can't stop': 80% of developers find AI coding more addictive than helpful
A Coddy Developer Survey revealed that AI coding is leading to a new kind of burnout.
A ZDNET report reveals that 80% of developers find AI coding tools more addictive than beneficial. Coding speed can suffer due to delays in fixing AI-generated code, leading to programmer workaholism and burnout. AI-powered coding tools like GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, and Cursor enable developers to generate code faster, but many are discovering the same tools can be a source of misery.
AI-induced workaholism stems from the dopamine rush when the AI gets things right and the adrenaline rush when it fails. CTO and co-founder of Rootly, Quentin Rousseau, admitted he couldn't sleep due to AI's addictive nature. This new kind of burnout is different from traditional programmer workaholism. A Coddy Tech survey found that 80% of developers feel their AI use feels more like dependence than advantage.
43% of developers keep coding after hours, and 32% have put off sleep to continue working. Over a third of developers claim AI tools have made it harder to switch off from work. Heavy AI use increases the likelihood of getting a raise or promotion but also raises the risk of burnout. AI's quick output creates a verification debt, as developers must still understand requirements, validate generated code, and manage production consequences.
The pressure to ship more features due to employer interpretation of AI-driven output can exacerbate this issue.
Written by urgent.news from ZDNet's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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