Stack Overflow Wants to Know: How is AI Changing the Way You Learn to Code?

Stack Overflow, the go-to Q&A platform for developers since 2008, is diving deep into how artificial intelligence is transforming the way programmers learn and skill up. With AI coding tools becoming increasingly prevalent, the company has launched a targeted survey to understand whether these tools are consolidating learning resources or simply adding another layer to the developer's toolkit.

The AI Learning Trend: By the Numbers

According to Stack Overflow's annual Developer Survey, the adoption of AI tools for learning to code has grown significantly in just one year. In 2024, 37% of developers learning to code used AI tools, but this jumped to 44% in 2025. This rapid adoption coincides with another interesting trend: developers are using fewer overall tools to learn, suggesting a consolidation around key resources.

This data raises important questions about the future of developer education. Are AI tools becoming the primary learning resource, or are they supplementing traditional methods like web forums, videos, and technical documentation?

The Survey: What Stack Overflow Wants to Know

Stack Overflow's new survey aims to explore several critical aspects of AI-assisted learning:

• Quality of Learning: Is AI improving or degrading the quality of what developers learn?
• Career Impact: Will these AI-learned skills translate to new roles in the near future?
• Replacement vs. Multiplier: Is AI replacing traditional learning methods or amplifying them?
• Learning Efficiency: Are developers getting tired of checking multiple sources for answers?
• Overall Experience: Is the learning process better or worse with AI assistance?

Why This Matters for the Developer Community

The shift toward AI-assisted learning represents a potential paradigm change in how developers acquire new skills. Stack Overflow has always championed the use of multiple learning sources, but the convenience and accessibility of AI tools might be changing that dynamic.

For developers, understanding these trends is crucial. If AI tools are indeed consolidating learning resources, it could mean:

• Faster skill acquisition through immediate, contextual answers
• Potential knowledge gaps if AI tools miss important foundational concepts
• Changes in problem-solving approaches as developers rely more on AI assistance
• Evolution of best practices as AI-generated code becomes more common

Participate and Shape the Future

Stack Overflow is inviting anyone who works with code and has been learning new programming skills recently to participate in this survey. The company plans to share the results after the survey closes, providing valuable insights into how AI is reshaping developer education.

This isn't Stack Overflow's first foray into targeted research. Outside of their annual Developer Survey, they regularly field smaller surveys to answer specific questions about the industry. By participating, developers can help shape the understanding of AI's role in coding education and potentially influence how learning resources evolve.

The Bigger Picture

The question of whether AI is a replacement or a multiplier for traditional learning resources goes beyond just convenience. It touches on fundamental issues of knowledge transfer, skill development, and the nature of expertise in software development.

As AI tools become more sophisticated, developers face new choices about how to balance AI assistance with traditional learning methods. The survey results could provide valuable guidance on whether to embrace AI tools fully, use them selectively, or maintain a diverse learning portfolio.

For those interested in contributing to this important research, the survey is open for the next few weeks. Stack Overflow also encourages developers to sign up for their research participation program to stay informed about future surveys and industry insights.

The results of this survey could help define the next chapter in developer education, determining whether AI tools become the primary gateway to coding knowledge or remain one valuable resource among many in the developer's learning arsenal.