Why AI is actually making expert coders 20% slower

PLUS: Claude's new coding frameworks and an AI off-switch for Windows

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Gen AI Art
September 08, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

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A surprising new study is challenging the idea that AI tools are a guaranteed productivity win for developers. The research found that for complex coding tasks, experienced coders using AI were actually 20% slower.

This slowdown is attributed to a ‘capability-reliability gap,’ as developers spent more time reviewing and correcting AI-generated code than it would have taken to write it themselves. Does this data serve as a major reality check on the current AI hype, forcing businesses to rethink their adoption strategies?

Today in AI:

  • AI tools found to slow down expert developers

  • Claude’s new developer-led coding frameworks

  • A new tool to disable AI features in Windows

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What’s new? A surprising new study found that AI tools actually made experienced developers 20% slower on complex coding tasks, challenging the assumption that AI always boosts productivity.

What matters?

  • The study by METR discovered that while developers felt 20% faster using AI, the objective results showed they were actually 20% slower.

  • This slowdown stems from a “capability-reliability gap,” where developers spent more time reviewing and correcting AI-generated code than it would have taken to write it from scratch.

  • This isn't an isolated issue—a recent report from McKinsey & Company found that over 80% of companies using generative AI reported no tangible impact on their earnings.

Why it matters?

This data serves as a crucial reality check on the current AI hype cycle. It highlights the need for businesses to move beyond blind adoption and focus on implementing AI in roles where it offers proven, reliable gains.

What’s new? Developers are shifting from simple prompts to building structured frameworks for AI coding assistants. This has sparked a community-driven "war" to find the best methods for turning models like Claude into reliable development partners.

What matters?

  • The core idea is to elevate the developer's role from coder to architect, using AI for implementation while humans focus on high-level design and project management.

  • These frameworks don't require complex code; many use simple, structured text files like markdown backlogs or command libraries to give the AI clear, repeatable instructions.

  • Advanced methods involve orchestration, where multiple AI agents work together, sometimes running across multiple branches in parallel to test features without conflicts.

Why it matters?

This trend shows that getting value from AI is less about finding a magic prompt and more about creating a disciplined process. By providing structure, developers can transform AI assistants from unpredictable tools into consistent, productive members of their team.

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What’s new? For users who want more control over their OS, a new tool called Flyoobe now lets you discover and disable all integrated AI and Copilot features in Windows 11.

What matters?

  • The latest update adds a dedicated settings page that finds and removes AI functionalities, giving you back control over the operating system.

  • The tool originally started as a way to bypass system requirements but has since evolved into a full-fledged customization tool for removing bloatware and other unwanted features.

  • Since this is an unofficial third-party utility that modifies the OS, using it carries some risk, so proceed with caution.

Why it matters?

This tool highlights a growing user demand for more explicit control over how AI is integrated into core software. Its popularity could signal an emerging market for utilities that offer users an 'off-ramp' from deeply embedded AI systems.

Everything else in AI

UCLA built a brain-computer interface where an AI co-pilot interprets a user's intent from EEG brain signals, allowing paralyzed patients to control a robotic arm without invasive surgery.

Timekettle released the W4 Pro, AI-powered earbuds that offer real-time translation for 42 languages with 98% accuracy.

Nuwa unveiled a smart pen that uses a triple-camera system and AI to digitize, transcribe, and organize handwritten notes from any paper surface.

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