AI Coding Tools Are Changing Output Faster Than They Are Changing Judgment
CIO, Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
AI coding tools accelerate code output but don't improve engineering judgment, risking quality issues in complex systems.
According to engineer Oreoluwa Adesanya, AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot excel at generating code quickly but fail to improve critical engineering judgment needed for complex systems.
While AI can help with repetitive tasks and boost output measurably, it cannot replace human decision-making on architectural tradeoffs, risk assessment, and system reliability as demonstrated during a live payment infrastructure migration.
DORA research shows AI acts as an amplifier: strong teams benefit significantly while weak teams magnify existing problems faster. The real danger lies in the illusion of competence, where easier code production spreads poor judgment throughout systems before quality issues become apparent.