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Google CEO Sundar Pichai during the Google AI event, in New Delhi.| Photo: PTI<\/p>\nNews Desk<\/p>\n
Last Updated: 23 April 2026, 01:55 PM IST<\/p>\n
Sundar Pichai has revealed that artificial intelligence is now responsible for generating the majority of new code at Google, signalling a major shift in how software is developed.<\/p>\n
Google CEO Sundar Pichai during the Google AI event, in New Delhi.| Photo: PTI<\/p>\n
At the Google Cloud Next 2026, Sundar Pichai<\/a> said that 75 per cent of all new code at Google is now generated by AI systems and subsequently reviewed and approved by human engineers. The figure marks a sharp increase from around 30 per cent in early 2025 and nearly 50 per cent by late last year.<\/p>\n The rapid rise highlights how AI has moved beyond being a support tool to becoming the primary driver of software development within the company. Instead of writing code line by line, engineers are increasingly tasked with reviewing, guiding and validating AI-generated outputs.<\/p>\n Pichai described this transformation as a shift towards \u201cagentic workflows\u201d, where autonomous AI agents handle complex coding tasks while engineers oversee the process. This model allows teams to deploy multiple AI-driven systems simultaneously, significantly accelerating development timelines.<\/p>\n According to the company, the results have already been notable. A complex internal code migration project was completed up to six times faster using AI-assisted workflows compared to traditional methods. In another instance, teams working on applications for macOS were able to move from concept to prototype within days using internal AI tools.<\/p>\n Despite the growing role of AI, Sundar Pichai emphasised that engineers are not being replaced. Instead, their roles are evolving towards higher-level functions such as system design, oversight and quality control.<\/p>\n Google\u2019s increasing reliance on AI to generate production-level code across major platforms, including Search, Ads, Cloud, YouTube and Android, is seen as a significant indicator for the wider technology industry. It suggests that AI-driven development could soon become standard practice across software engineering.<\/p>\n What this means for tech jobs<\/p>\n The shift described by Sundar Pichai suggests not a sudden disappearance of software jobs, but a clear transformation in how those jobs function. As AI systems take over repetitive and large-scale code generation at Google<\/a>, the role of engineers is moving up the value chain.<\/p>\n Instead of writing code line by line, developers are increasingly expected to design systems, define problems, and review AI-generated outputs. This means skills such as architecture planning, debugging complex systems, and ensuring security and reliability are becoming more important than basic coding alone.<\/p>\n At the same time, demand for engineers is unlikely to disappear in the near term. Large technology companies still require human oversight to validate AI outputs, prevent errors, and maintain accountability. However, the number of engineers needed for purely routine coding tasks may reduce as AI tools become more efficient.<\/p>\n The change could also widen the gap between entry-level and experienced roles. Junior developers, who traditionally build experience through hands-on coding, may find fewer opportunities in roles focused only on writing simple code. In contrast, experienced engineers who can supervise AI systems and manage complex workflows are likely to see increased demand.<\/p>\n Another key shift is the rise of \u201cAI-assisted\u201d or \u201cAI-first\u201d development environments. Engineers will need to learn how to work effectively with AI tools, including prompting systems, managing multiple AI agents, and integrating outputs into production systems. This makes adaptability and continuous learning critical for long-term career growth.<\/p>\n Overall, the transition highlighted by Sundar Pichai indicates that software engineering <\/a>is evolving rather than shrinking. While AI may reduce the need for manual coding, it is simultaneously creating new responsibilities centred on oversight, strategy, and innovation.<\/p>\n Published: 23 Apr 2026, 01:55 pm IST<\/p>\n