For software engineers, AI isn't just changing coding. It's changing careers, confidence, and identity.

Business Insider conducted interviews with seven software engineers to examine how artificial intelligence is affecting their careers, confidence, and professional identity. The report, published in July 2026, highlights a range of responses to AI's growing role in coding and software development.

One engineer, Dmitry Olev, stated that he does not blame AI for his recent layoff, instead viewing it as part of broader industry evolution. Another engineer quoted in the article expressed an inability to 'get on the AI train,' indicating difficulty adapting to new AI tools and workflows. The interviews cover themes of job displacement, skill obsolescence, and shifting self-perception among software professionals.

The article notes that AI's impact on software engineering extends beyond technical changes to affect how developers view their careers and sense of purpose. It does not provide industry-wide statistics but offers individual perspectives on the transition currently underway in the field.