Read carefully, though… you came across an outdated article. Why outdated? Because it was written in February 2025. And in the last two years, the IT world has changed and will continue to change at an unprecedented pace. Cursor, Windsurf, Lovable, Replit, Softgen, Bolt or the ChatGPT, Claude, Deepseek, Grok models themselves are just some of the tools that are changing the way MVP (software prototype) and fully functional applications are created.
It is necessary to adapt to market trends. Transformation will not bypass any technology company. The changes not only affect tools and processes, but above all, they directly affect employees, who are naturally apprehensive about the coming AI revolution. Anxiety among 71% of employees towards AI is due to a lack of training and a transparent roadmap(EY survey).
Programmers vs. AI
At the beginning of 2024, artificial intelligence did not yet count in Codeforces’ ranking for programming skills. A few months later, AI was already in the 1000th position. At the beginning of 2025, GPT-o3 ranked 176th, achieving a rating of 2700. Only 200 programmers in the world achieved a better score.
The development of language models and their capabilities necessitates conscious and continuous change management not only in software houses, but in any company that uses modern technologies in its business. Automation of processes, software development with low-code or no-code tools forces changes in terms of hiring programmers, project managers, UX designers or AI engineers. The latter are the most desirable group of employees in any company.
Changes in the labor market
According to the Just Join IT report, the number of IT job openings in 2023 is down 26% from 2022, with another 18% decline in 2024. Junior developers are being displaced by AI technologies and this trend will continue for years to come.
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How to manage change in the IT industry?
Changes are ahead for every company. AI agents are taking over tasks that were previously reserved for specialized staff. This phenomenon is already meeting – and will continue to meet – resistance from AI employees. However, implementing AI in your company doesn’t have to mean layoffs. On the contrary, it can make it more agile both in its work organization and in its dealings with customers.
Software houses that can respond quickly to customer needs will be seen as modern and flexible. With AI, an application’s MVP can be ready in a matter of days, or even in the very first workshop with a client.
4 steps of AI transformation in the IT industry
- Train the team – implement certification programs with prompt engineering.
- Build an AI dream team – bring together developers, business analysts, UX designers and AI engineers.
- Enter transformation KPIs – what goal do you want to achieve and when?
- Communicate transparently – define a plan of action vis-à-vis the development of AI and business competencies in your company (modify the company’s strategy).
How to manage resistance to change?
The AI revolution does not have to pose a threat to your business. On the contrary, it is an opportunity that will be seized by companies open to new structures and methods of work. At the same time, both lower-level employees and managers may fear losing their jobs. As a result, feedback to management may be distorted.
A conscious leader should not only control the mood of the company, but also ensure the right direction for the transformation. Clear communication and proper change management can make AI implementation a growth opportunity rather than a threat.
What is the future of the IT industry?
In the next five years, lower-level developers should focus on developing business competencies. With a better understanding of market needs, junior developers will be able to create full-fledged applications. UX designers and front-end developers will also face a re-branding to align with customer expectations.
Hard, technical skills in IT companies will need to be complemented by soft and business skills – crucial for accurately identifying customer needs.
Software houses can transform their business models to deliver commissioned projects faster and more agilely. They can also develop their own software as a product or focus on hiring services for AI specialists.
In times of dynamic change, a bold and clear strategy is a key tool for competitive advantage. Companies that develop it and implement it effectively will make the best use of the opportunities arising from the revolution in technology and AI tools.
