The Numbers That Deflate the AI Hype About Replacing Coders—and Ease FOMO
06 Feb 2026 #codingOnly 25% of developers regularly use AI agents, according to Sonar’s survey.
After surveying more than 1,100 developers across the globe, they found:
- 90% of respondents use AI for assisting development. But only 55% of them rate AI as “extremely or very effective.”
- 96% don’t fully trust that AI-generated code is functionally correct.
- 48% always check their AI-assisted code before committing.
Why this matters: We’re flooded with headlines predicting the end of coders.
AI generating more than X% of code at a FAANG. One CEO suggesting nobody else should learn to code. To then retract himself saying that replacing senior coders with AI is crazy. And companies using AI innovation as an excuse for more layoffs.
Those numbers show CEOs spread panic to bump stock prices and fuel the euphoria. The real motivator isn’t productivity, but financial interest.
What to do: If you think you’re missing the whole AI movement, let the dust settle down. Double down on the fundamentals, not shiny objects. Maybe it’s time to pick Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs or any classical textbook.
With 96% not trusting AI, code reviewing, clean code, and security remain essential. Don’t throw away your copy of Clean Code. And even if AI takes over, there’s work for human coders to do.
It’s easy to fall into the AI hype. AI wins on speed. But humans win on communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Street-Smart Coding covers some of those skills. Follow this roadmap to build hype-proof skills and become the kind of coder AI can’t replace.