The new identity of a developer: What changes and what doesn’t in the AI era

Over the past four years, the integration of AI in software development has significantly altered developers' roles and perceptions, transitioning from mere code producers to "creative directors of code" who focus on orchestration and verification rather than code implementation. This shift has been documented through interviews with advanced AI users, who have matured from initial skepticism to confident strategists, embracing AI tools for a multitude of tasks. As developers adjust to this new landscape, they emphasize the importance of skills such as AI fluency, problem framing, and rigorous verification, recognizing these as competitive advantages in a rapidly evolving field. The 2025 Octoverse report highlights this transition by showing increased adoption of AI-friendly languages like TypeScript and widespread use of AI tools like GitHub Copilot, indicating a broader trend towards embracing AI in development workflows. This evolution in developer identity and workflow underscores a shift towards higher-level abstraction and responsibility, driven by AI's growing role in the development process.