In a shift that could redefine who sinks and who swims in the AI era, a new report by BairesDev, a nearshore software development company, reveals that tech workers are outpacing organisations in AI adoption. More than that, the consequences may be far-reaching.
According to the Dev Barometer Q3 2025, developers are embracing AI tools, upskilling in self-driven ways and integrating AI into their daily workflows. Meanwhile, many companies are still in early phases of AI adoption, with only a small slice embedding AI into the core of their operations.
The result, it seems, is a growing divide between those building the future and those trying to catch up.
Developers Take the Lead: Learning, Tools and Productivity
One of the clearest findings in the report is how developers themselves are stepping up. On average, they report saving 7.3 hours per week by using AI tools for coding – this isn’t marginal by any stretch of the imagination. It’s almost a full work-day regained, and much of it is being reinvested in learning new skills.
Furthermore, almost half of developers say that 10-50% of their code is now AI-assisted, with an average of 23.5% being so.
Learning methods reflect this self-reliant trend. Two-thirds (66%) of developers say they learn on the job; a strong number (58%) rely on YouTube tutorials; and 48% take paid courses.
Formal certifications play a smaller role (only 15%), suggesting agility and relevance matter more than credentials in this fast-moving environment. Quite a significant realisation, especially for the youth and young professionals looking to enter the job market.
Developers are clearly driven not just by the need to keep pace, but also by the opportunity AI is creating. 65% of developers surveyed worry they’re falling behind in AI skills, and nearly 44% say AI and machine learning are their top priorities in upskilling over the next few months.
However, the majority (88%) also view AI as a gateway to new career paths. These include becoming AI/ML specialists (45%), working in prompt engineering (44%), and automating repetitive tasks so they can focus on more ambitious technical work (62%), such as architecture and creative problem-solving.
Companies Are Lagging Behind: Strategy, Maturity and Opportunities
While individual developers are racing ahead, many organisations are not keeping up. The Dev Barometer indicates that 64% of software development projects are only in early AI stages, with a maturity score of about 2.2 out of 5. Only 3.2% of companies have AI truly embedded at their core. Among large enterprises, maturity levels are slightly higher (averaging ~2.6/5).
Of course, it must be noted that barriers are many and they’re varied. Developers point to legacy infrastructure and restrictive corporate policies as major hurdles, while project managers emphasise unclear return on investment (ROI) and limited resources. One universal concern, however, is data privacy and security.
With 87% of developers predicting that generative AI will disrupt business models in the next year, those without a clear AI strategy will likely lose a competitive edge and the talent that drives innovation. Therefore, aligning employee momentum with a strategic investment in AI will be a key driver for competitiveness and talent retention.
“Developers are embracing AI. They’re boosting productivity, learning faster, and discovering greater purpose as they shift to high-value problem-solving. However, the survey also reveals a critical gap: while developers race ahead, many companies are lagging behind. It is time for businesses to invest in upskilling and AI integration to avoid being left out of the next wave of innovation,” said Nacho De Marco, CEO and Co-Founder of BairesDev.
What Does This Gap Mean for the Future? Who Gets Left Behind?
This gap between employees’ drive to adopt and learn AI and companies’ slower adaptation isn’t just a tech sector curiosity. In fact, it could determine which companies advance and which stagnate – the age-old, “get on board or get out”, mantra.
Organisations that lean into AI, build internal training, modernise infrastructure, and foster policies that allow experimentation will likely pull ahead.
Those that keep AI at the fringes, use it only for pilot projects, or neglect the human side of adoption risk losing out on efficiency, innovation, and employee satisfaction. And, losing out on these fronts doesn’t just mean these companies (and their employees) will be working harder than they really need to, but it also means that it’s going to become nearly impossible to remain competitive.
For workers, the implication is serious – those who proactively upskill are likely to benefit from more job mobility, higher value roles, and perhaps better pay. And, those who stay in organisations that don’t adapt may find their skills less in demand.
Learn Fast Or Fall Flat
The Dev Barometer Q3 2025 shows a clear trend: employees are pushing the envelope with AI tools and self-education, while many companies are still in the process of building comprehensive AI strategies. The divide between action and strategy is growing, and the stakes are high – not just for market share, but for talent retention, productivity, and longevity.
Ultimately, if there’s a lesson here, which I’d quite confidently say there is, it’s this: companies must stop treating AI as a side project. It’s no longer a quirky optional extra with little influence on your future.
It’s far more serious than that, and this is a lesson for businesses across industries: it’s time to embrace the shift or risk irrelevance, because opting out is no longer an acceptable option.
They need to embed it in their culture, support employees with learning pathways, and build trust in these tools. Otherwise, in this race to an AI-powered future, they risk being left behind by their own workforce.
