Is AI working? A look into AI use among IT professionals and future opportunities
In 2026, AI continues its expansion across all industries, with some sectors moving faster than others. In IT, a majority of workers reported regular daily use. The story echoing through every sector is one of automation, productivity, and technological breakthroughs within reach. With economies stalling worldwide, many believe AI holds the key to unlocking faltering productivity.
Yet the widespread automation and breakthroughs predicted have not materialized. For most users, AI tools manage relatively basic tasks and still require human oversight to mitigate unpredictable errors. Is it a case of oversold tech or undersold complications? As we have found, the answer lies somewhere in the middle.
Developers provide reliable indicators of how technology meets demand and how much it is trusted. AI presents a particularly interesting case, given it is widely thought capable of replacing development roles. We took the opportunity to survey our network sending a questionnaire to over 1000 experienced IT professionals from around Europe. By combining our responses with existing research, we hope to better understand what is driving the divide.