In the midst of growing concerns that artificial intelligence could replace developers, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has clarified in a recent interview that AI remains a tool to augment, not replace software engineers, particularly in handling complex, large-scale projects.
Speaking with Bloomberg in San Francisco in early June 2025, Pichai was asked whether AI might supplant coders entirely. His response was reassuring: “I expect we will grow from our current engineering base even into next year, because it allows us to do more”. In his words, AI functions as “an accelerator” that speeds up development cycles, enabling teams to expand and enhance product innovation, rather than reducing headcount.
At Google, Pichai noted that approximately 30 percent of its newly written code now incorporates AI-generated segments, and this has driven a roughly 10 percent increase in engineering velocity, signaling tangible productivity gains. The implication is clear: AI is lifting the ceiling on what engineering squads can deliver, paving the way for broader hiring rather than layoffs.
He acknowledged skeptics such as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who recently warned of potential mass displacement of entry-level white-collar roles, but remained optimistic. Pichai commented, “I respect that… it’s important to voice those concerns and debate them,” yet underscored that, at Google, the strategy remains to harness AI to empower engineers, not displace them.
Google’s commitment to hiring even in AI’s ascendancy was further reiterated at a Bloomberg Tech conference, where Pichai affirmed plans to expand the engineering workforce through 2026. While many tech giants pursue job cuts to support AI R&D, Google is doubling down on recruiting – stating that AI makes engineers more effective, and thus more valuable.
Other industry executives echo similar sentiments. Microsoft Azure CTO Mark Russinovich recently affirmed that current AI coding tools can assist with simple tasks like prototyping and debugging, but aren’t capable of tackling complex, interlinked systems that demand architectural planning – domains where human developers continue to be essential.
Pichai’s vision aligns with broader trends: AI is lowering barriers to programming and enabling coders to focus on creative and strategic elements of software development. It’s not about replacing coders, but rather enabling them to “do more, faster”. Google’s internal coding assistant — widely reported as “Jules” — and external tools like Cursor AI exemplify this future. These systems are being leveraged internally to reduce repetitive tasks, troubleshoot bugs, and speed up the development lifecycle .
Despite ongoing industry layoffs and AI investments, Pichai remains confident in Google’s dual approach: driving AI innovation while also growing the engineering teams. He emphasized: while AI can handle “grunt work,” the most engaging and impactful components of engineering – design, architecture, problem-solving — still require human talent. The result is both a productivity boost and an expanded opportunity space for engineers.
In summary, Pichai’s position is clear, AI is a powerful enabling technology, not a replacement. It enhances engineering velocity, fosters strategic hiring, and reduces barriers to entry for new developers. The future of software development, as he sees it, is one where AI supports human creativity and expertise — making engineers more indispensable, not obsolete.
