Software Developers, Applications
Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team. May supervise computer programmers.
How AI Impacts Each Task
15 tasks analyzed
Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance.
Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design system and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcome and consequences of design.
Develop and direct software system testing and validation procedures, programming, and documentation.
Consult with customers about software system design and maintenance.
Supervise the work of programmers, technologists and technicians and other engineering and scientific personnel.
Determine system performance standards.
Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan computer specifications and layouts, and peripheral equipment modifications.
Coordinate software system installation and monitor equipment functioning to ensure specifications are met.
Obtain and evaluate information on factors such as reporting formats required, costs, and security needs to determine hardware configuration.
Train users to use new or modified equipment.
Specify power supply requirements and configuration.
Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance. | 60.15Observed | 51.1% | 20% | |
| Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints. | 41.85Observed | 43.7% | 15% | |
| Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design system and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces. | 60.42Observed | 39.2% | 10% | |
| Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements. | 41.77Observed | 65.9% | 5% | |
| Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcome and consequences of design. | 67.22Observed | 53.9% | 13% | |
| Develop and direct software system testing and validation procedures, programming, and documentation. | 56.7Observed | 49.7% | 10% | |
| Consult with customers about software system design and maintenance. | 63.1Observed | 40.2% | 5% | |
| Supervise the work of programmers, technologists and technicians and other engineering and scientific personnel. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 5% | |
| Determine system performance standards. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan computer specifications and layouts, and peripheral equipment modifications. | 50.4Observed | 47.2% | 3% | |
| Coordinate software system installation and monitor equipment functioning to ensure specifications are met. | 85Estimated | 83.2% | 3% | |
| Obtain and evaluate information on factors such as reporting formats required, costs, and security needs to determine hardware configuration. | 56.95Observed | 72.0% | 2% | |
| Train users to use new or modified equipment. | 45Estimated | 33.0% | 2% | |
| Specify power supply requirements and configuration. | 64.65Observed | 75.1% | 2% | |
| Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Programming is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Software Developers, Applications skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
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IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 3 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
Developers are now building entire video games using single AI prompts
A developer successfully created a fully functional video game using a single prompt with advanced AI models like Claude and GPT-5.6. This rapid prototyping capability threatens entry-level coding and game design roles by drastically reducing development time.
Databricks drove down AI coding spend 70%
Meta’s new coding agent is cheap (but it’ll cost you your data).
Coinbase, Shopify and Ramp all built their own coding agents. All three still pay Anthropic.
Despite building internal AI coding tools, major tech firms remain reliant on third-party models like Anthropic's Claude. This suggests in-house AI development isn't replacing the need for premium foundational models in software engineering just yet.
Oracle bans AI-generated code from OpenJDK
Developers contributing to the open-source Java development kit are now strictly prohibited from submitting code written by AI. The decision underscores growing legal and quality concerns around AI-assisted programming in major enterprise projects.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis