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
OpenAI's new Codex update pushes AI coding agents closer to full autonomy
Developers can now assign open-ended objectives to OpenAI's command-line tool rather than just generating snippets. This shift from code assistant to autonomous agent means AI can execute complex programming tasks with minimal human oversight.
Disney Slashes Tech Worker Stock Compensation
The entertainment giant is reducing maximum stock awards for its technology staff from 35% to 25% of their base salaries. This quiet compensation cut signals tightening budgets for tech talent even at major media conglomerates.
Open Source Project Zig Bans AI-Generated Code Submissions
The creator of the Zig programming language is actively rejecting pull requests written by large language models. Maintainers note that AI-generated code introduces fundamentally different, easily detectable errors compared to human developers.
Credit Giants Assess AI Disruption Risks to Software Industry Jobs
Major private credit firms are using proprietary scorecards and consultants to evaluate how artificial intelligence might disrupt their software portfolio companies. This signals growing financial scrutiny over AI's potential to replace traditional software services and development roles.
Meta's AI Ads Encourage Users to Automate and Sell Web Development
Meta's newly acquired AI firm, Manus, is paying creators to promote a scheme where users generate websites with AI and sell them to local businesses. This aggressive marketing commoditizes freelance web design and threatens the livelihood of entry-level developers.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis