GitHub has released a compelling new report on how AI is transforming the software development profession. Based on a survey of 22 power users of AI coding tools, the study reveals a clear trajectory in mindset: developers who were initially skeptical about AI’s utility moved through four distinct stages of adaptation—Skeptic, Explorer, Collaborator, and finally, Strategist. According to the official blog, those who persisted in using AI tools had “aha!” moments when they realized how the tools could save time and fit naturally into their workflows. As developers become strategists, they shift their focus from writing code to overseeing complex AI-assisted workflows, managing delegation and review instead of authoring line-by-line logic. A majority of participants estimated that in just 2–5 years, AI will be writing 90% of their code. However, this does not signal obsolescence—instead, developers feel that managing AI output will be the new value-add. These “realistic optimists” see AI as a partner enabling them to aim higher, think more strategically, and focus on higher-impact challenges. Why it matters: This survey suggests that the very definition of “software developer” is being rewritten. In the AI era, success will depend not just on writing code, but also on orchestrating intelligent systems. Skills like prompt engineering, agent management, and AI fluency will be just as vital as coding syntax, positioning developers more as conductors than coders.