Survey Reveals AI Speeds Coding—But Teams Lose 7 Hours Weekly to New Bottlenecks
AI may be helping software developers code faster, but according to GitLab’s latest Global DevSecOps survey, organizations are facing a critical “AI Paradox.” While 97% of teams are now using or planning to use AI in their workflows, a fragmented approach to tools and increased compliance demands mean DevSecOps professionals are losing an average of 7 hours each week per team member to process inefficiencies and communication gaps. That’s nearly a full workday spent overcoming barriers that the promise of AI was meant to erase.
Platform Engineering Emerges as a Key Solution for AI Integration
With 85% of survey respondents saying that agentic AI will only succeed in a platform engineering approach, the data suggests point tools can’t solve today’s growing complexity. A striking 60% of professionals are juggling more than five software development tools, and nearly half (49%) are using more than five AI tools, amplifying integration headaches across organizations. GitLab’s research shows that teams need frameworks that orchestrate code, governance, and compliance together—not as separate, disconnected steps.
| Key Survey Metrics | Percentage |
|---|---|
| DevSecOps teams losing hours to inefficiency | 7 hours per week per member |
| Organizations using >5 development tools | 60% |
| Organizations using >5 AI tools | 49% |
| Believe platform engineering is essential | 85% |
| Adopting/Planning AI in lifecycle | 97% |
| Trust AI to work without human review | 37% |
| Agree coding gets easier—will mean more engineers | 76% |
AI Brings Both Opportunities and Upskilling Pressures for Engineers
Far from making engineers obsolete, AI is expanding teams and upskilling requirements. Three out of four (76%) respondents predict that as coding becomes easier, organizations will hire more engineers—not fewer—magnifying the management challenge for tech leaders. Most (87%) believe those adopting AI are future-proofing their careers, but a nearly identical share (87%) want their organizations to invest more in training and development.
Compliance Headaches Are Growing as AI Changes the Rules
The survey shines a light on another emerging risk: compliance management. A full 70% of respondents say AI makes compliance harder, while 76% have seen compliance issues only after deployment—rather than during development. Security and compliance are now the top skills professionals want to improve for career growth, surpassing coding or programming language proficiency. Most believe by 2027, compliance will be automatically built into code—but that future depends on evolving how organizations manage software delivery today.
Human Oversight Remains Essential, Even as AI Nears Universal Adoption
Despite enthusiasm for automation, only 37% of professionals would trust AI to perform daily work tasks without human oversight. Nearly nine in ten (88%) agree essential human qualities—like creativity and innovation—cannot be fully replaced by AI. Additionally, 73% of teams have already experienced problems with code created by "vibe coding," where developers use natural language prompts without fully understanding the generated output.
Takeaway: Platform Solutions and Upskilling Will Define the Future of AI-Driven Development
GitLab’s findings make one thing clear: accelerating coding with AI won’t drive sustainable productivity gains unless organizations also tackle fragmented toolchains and growing compliance needs. Integrated platforms and new operational frameworks will be crucial, but human oversight and continuous upskilling will remain vital. For engineering leaders and developers alike, the opportunity—and challenge—will be in building software faster without sacrificing quality, compliance, or collaboration along the way.
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