AI has moved the work, not reduced it: KRS developer on the hidden cost of AI-assisted coding
The hours once spent writing code haven't disappeared. They've shifted to reviewing, testing and validating what AI produces before it reaches production. "AI has made output a lot faster, but the time I saved writing code has shifted to verifying the code it produced," says…
The hours once spent writing code haven't disappeared. They've shifted to reviewing, testing and validating what AI produces before it reaches production.
"AI has made output a lot faster, but the time I saved writing code has shifted to verifying the code it produced," says Behardien. For businesses investing in AI-accelerated software development, that's an important distinction.
What Happened
Faster code generation doesn't mean faster software delivery if the output still needs careful engineering review. "I use AI to help me with my everyday tasks, from planning and debugging to actually writing code and designing solutions."
Like many developers in 2026, Behardien uses AI throughout her working day.
According to Sonar's 2026 State of Code Developer Survey, 40% of developers say AI has increased technical debt by generating unnecessary or duplicate code.
We apply targeted review and testing where it provides confidence.
Key Details
Her primary tool is Claude Code, which she says has become her preferred AI coding companion. How much work she delegates to it depends entirely on the task.
I would tell clients that all code is checked and vetted, not only by myself, but by the rest of my team as well.
For Behardien, the answer lies in the engineering process rather than the AI tool itself.
As AI becomes a standard part of software development, businesses are asking how they can trust code that wasn't written entirely by a person.
Why It Matters
Predefined tasks are easy to hand over to the AI with clear instructions. Rather than replacing software engineering, AI has become another tool within the development process.
Instead of replacing collaboration, AI gives the team a starting point for discussion.
Now I ask Claude to suggest solutions, outline pros and cons, highlight any gaps it sees, etc.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Continued reporting by ITWeb as more details emerge
