Over a quarter (25%) of Google’s internal source code is AI-generated, according to CEO Sundar Pichai, hinting at what's in store for the future of development at big tech firms.
Speaking during a recent earnings call, Pichai explained that the firm is using AI within its development teams to improve coding processes, as well as to boost productivity and efficiency.
The code in question is subject to human approval, Pichai added, as engineers are kept in the loop to review and accept AI-generated code. This helps improve engineer workflows and allows them to move faster, he said.
Google’s AI source code forms part of its full-stack approach to the technology, which Pichai noted also involves rolling out its Gemini models more widely to developers and focusing on tools such as GitHub Copilot.
Google’s announcement is a sign of things to come, according to Camden Woollven, Group Head of AI Product Marketing at GRC International Group, though it might take time for the entire industry to catch up.
“Google's got advantages other companies don't, such as massive code repositories, cutting-edge AI tools, and the resources to implement this safely,” Woollven told ITPro.
“Most companies won't hit 25% anytime soon, but they're definitely heading in that direction.”
It’s also important to put the headline statistic in context, Woollven said. While 25% of Google’s code is AI-generated, this doesn’t mean AI is writing full systems from scratch - rather, it’s complementing human development.
AI coding tool uptick
News of Google’s sizable AI code portfolio comes as research increasingly points to the growing popularity of AI coding tools.
According to a GitHub report that surveyed 2,000 software engineers and developers, 97% said that they had used AI coding tools at work at some point. Many of the surveyed developers also reported better code quality and faster language adoption.
A similar survey from Black Duck Software found that nine-in-ten developers reported using AI coding tools, with some of the most enthusiastic adopters working in technology and cybersecurity.
This uptick could have major implications for application development, according to Manoj Chaudhary, CTO of Jitterbit.
RELATED WHITEPAPER
"Traditionally, building applications required dedicated developers, creating a bottleneck for businesses with limited resources. This meant a long tail of unmet needs, with countless applications left unbuilt due to the dependence on centralized IT teams,” Chaudhary told ITPro.
“AI is now breaking down these barriers. AI-powered tools are lowering the barriers to entry, allowing anyone with a basic understanding of what’s needed to automate tasks and processes,” he added.
Chaudhary argued that AI coding tools can democratize automation and create more agile, more productive environments.
Question marks over AI code
Despite the apparent surge in AI code generation, the industry is not without its concerns. Reports show that many developers question the quality of AI-generated code and its maintainability.
According to a report from Google itself, 39% of surveyed developers do not trust and lack confidence in AI-generated code, despite three-quarters (75%) using AI for at least one daily responsibility.
Other research from GitClear, for example, found concerning trends around maintainability in 153 million lines of examined code, predicting that ‘code churn’ - code that must be changed after its completion - could double in 2024.
Black Duck’s research also pointed toward growing developer worries in this regard, with two-thirds of respondents noting they’re increasingly concerned about the security and safety of AI-generated code.
-
What to look out for at RSAC Conference 2025Analysis Convincing attendees that AI can revolutionize security will be the first point of order at next week’s RSA Conference – but traditional threats will be a constant undercurrent
-
Ransomware attacks are rising — but quiet payouts could mean there's more than actually reportedNews Ransomware attacks continue to climb, but they may be even higher than official figures show as companies choose to quietly pay to make such incidents go away.
-
Google Cloud is leaning on all its strengths to support enterprise AIAnalysis Google Cloud made a big statement at its annual conference last week, staking its claim as the go-to provider for enterprise AI adoption.
-
Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis says AI isn’t a ‘silver bullet’ – but within five to ten years its benefits will be undeniableNews Demis Hassabis, CEO at Google DeepMind and one of the UK’s most prominent voices on AI, says AI will bring exciting developments in the coming year.
-
Google CEO Sundar Pichai says DeepSeek has done ‘good work’ showcasing AI model efficiency — and Gemini is going the same way tooNews Google CEO Sundar Pichai hailed the DeepSeek model release as a step in the right direction for AI efficiency and accessibility.
-
Microsoft says AI tools such as Copilot or ChatGPT are affecting critical thinking at work – staff using the technology encounter 'long-term reliance and diminished independent problem-solving'News Research from Microsoft suggests that the increased use of AI tools at work could impact critical thinking among employees.
-
Looking to use DeepSeek R1 in the EU? This new study shows it’s missing key criteria to comply with the EU AI ActNews The DeepSeek R1 AI model might not meet key requirements to comply with aspects of the EU AI Act, according to new research.
-
OpenAI unveils its Operator agent to help users automate tasks – here's what you need to knowNews OpenAI has made its long-awaited foray into the AI agents space
-
Workers are warming to agentic AI, but concerns over accuracy lingerNews Research from Pegasystems shows workers are keen on adopting agentic AI tools, but concerns over accuracy may be harming uptake,
-
Google will invest a further $1 billion in AI startup AnthropicNews This is the latest in a flurry of big tech investments for the AI startup
