AI coding agents generate more code, but not more software
A new study reveals that while artificial intelligence coding tools help software developers write significantly more code, they do not increase overall software output.
A new study reveals that while artificial intelligence coding tools help software developers write significantly more code, they do not increase overall software output. According to the report by Harvard researchers Fiona Chen and James Stratton, the introduction of AI coding agents leads to a 30 percent increase in total lines of code generated.
The study analyzed aggregated analytics data from Jellyfish encompassing 300 million work events across more than 700,000 employees at over 700 software firms from 2021 through March 2026. Despite the surge in raw code, the resolution rate for tracked software features did not change in a statistically significant way. The researchers found that efficiency gains during the coding phase are absorbed by a human review bottleneck.
The average review time for a pull request balloons by 49 percent after AI agents are introduced, with the share of pull requests requiring changes nearly doubling and comments increasing by 35 percent. Consequently, firms saw a 14 percent increase in workers performing code reviews, though overall employment levels remained steady.
While 95 percent of firms in the study have implemented AI coding agents, the data shows that human reviewers still handle the vast majority of review work.
The report
The story so far
Earlier coverage connected by shared names and topics. Follow the dates to see how coverage developed; these links do not imply every article describes the same event.
At 19, founder raises $11 million for Ghost, maker of a $3,499 computer for personal AIGhost, a startup founded by 19-year-old Zain Javaid, announced on Monday that it has emerged from stealth with $11 million in seed…
Connected by: ChenEARLIER COVERAGE- Vesta raises $30M to bring swarms of agents to mortgage lenders
Mortgage software startup Vesta announced on Thursday that it raised a $30 million funding round led by Conversion Capital. The company helps…
Connected by: DespiteEARLIER COVERAGE - A startup founder who served time in prison is looking to court an untapped market: ex-cons
Entrepreneur Richard Bronson has launched Commissary Club, a social media platform designed to help formerly incarcerated people find jobs, housing, and community.…
Connected by: StrattonEARLIER COVERAGE - OpenAI’s revenue is reportedly $20 billion less than previously projected
OpenAI has told investors that its annualized revenue is closer to $50 billion than the $70 billion that had been reported a week earlier.…
Connected by: MarchEARLIER COVERAGE - NOWAI coding agents generate more code, but not more softwareCURRENT UPDATE
Original publication: 10 October 2026 01:13
