Reaktor and the University of Helsinki Launch a Pioneering Research on GenAI's Impact on Software Development Productivity

The potential of GenAI tools to enhance developer productivity is widely recognized, but there is still a need for concrete evidence on how these tools affect productivity in a real-world software development environment. This research seeks to bridge that gap by providing actionable data and insights into AI-assisted software development. 

"By fully harnessing the potential of AI in software development, companies can propel productivity and competitiveness to new heights. We are excited to be at the forefront, bringing greater clarity to productivity discussions and delivering valuable insights for companies to leverage,” says Pekka Horo, CEO of Reaktor. 

"The study of AI and productivity has long been hindered by hypothetical scenarios and research setups that are disconnected from the realities of developer work. It's time to move beyond speculation about how GenAI impacts software development and stop relying on productivity figures that lack grounding in real-world scenarios,” says Mikael Kopteff, Executive Consultant, Technology and Innovation at Reaktor. “We’re bringing AI productivity research into real-world companies. This approach allows us to uncover the real impact of GenAI tools and AI assistants on software development and help companies to utilize GenAI more effectively.” 

Reaktor and the University of Helsinki are conducting research to examine the benefits and challenges AI-powered tools bring to software development teams, including both experienced professionals and early-career developers. The study aims to evaluate the impact of AI-based tools on productivity, work quality, and the overall developer experience. 

"AI-powered tools are quickly becoming a central element of modern software development, fundamentally transforming how developers work and approach their processes. The research collaboration between the University of Helsinki and Reaktor provides a unique and timely opportunity to examine the adoption of these advanced tools and their real-world impact on software development across different companies,” says University Researcher Petri Kettunen from the University of Helsinki, Department of Computer Science. 

"Our goal is to produce new, evidence-based insights that will help companies harness AI more effectively in software development, enhancing productivity. This also supports the responsible and sustainable integration of AI into development workflows. The real-world measurements and observations gathered during the research across companies will further enable us to identify critical areas for future exploration," says Professor Tomi Männistö from the University of Helsinki, Department of Computer Science. 

About the research

This study will evaluate the impact of GenAI tools, such as GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT, on software development productivity using established metrics like DORA. The research will focus on companies whose development teams have not yet adopted AI tools, providing a unique opportunity to measure the effects of these tools in a real-world software development environment. The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research.

Participate in the research

Reaktor and the University of Helsinki are inviting companies with software development teams, who are interested in enhancing productivity through AI, to participate in the study. 

This news item was originally published on the University of Helsinki website on 3.3.2025