DevOps AI Saves Development Time, But Inefficiencies Still Cause Losses
A recent Atlassian study reveals a clear contradiction: developers gain significant time savings through AI tools, yet organizational inefficiencies negate these benefits. According to Atlassian’s 2025 DevEx survey involving 3,500 developers and managers, 99% of developers report saving time thanks to AI, with 68% cutting more than 10 hours per week. These savings extend beyond coding to non-coding tasks, allowing developers to focus on code improvements, new features, and documentation.
However, the study also highlights a growing disconnect between developers and their managers. 63% of developers say their managers don’t understand their challenges, up from 44% last year. This gap exists because managers assume AI alone resolves time issues, leading to unrealistic expectations for faster delivery without addressing underlying frustrations.
Balancing Time Savings and Frustration
While AI tools have boosted productivity since 2024, many challenges remain. Developers spend about half their time on non-coding activities, and 90% lose six hours or more weekly to organizational inefficiencies. The study states bluntly: developers are saving 10 hours a week with AI but losing the same amount to inefficiencies.
The biggest time drains include searching for information such as services, documentation, and APIs, adapting to new technologies, and constantly switching between tools. Notably, technical debt has fallen off the biggest blockers list, while collaboration issues with other teams have become more prominent.
A Systematic Approach Is Needed
AI is a useful tool but not a cure-all. The data suggests AI improves developer experience only when applied to real problems. The first step is straightforward: engage directly with developers to identify pain points and test solutions together.
Sometimes AI is the answer, other times simple fixes like better self-service materials can reduce frustration. Developers also play a critical role by clearly communicating challenges in terms of their impact, helping managers prioritize effectively.
For teams looking to deepen their AI skills and improve workflows, exploring targeted AI courses can provide practical knowledge on using AI tools efficiently in development environments.
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