The AI productivity paradox in software engineering: Balancing efficiency and human skill retention

Generative AI is revolutionizing software development, promising faster delivery and cost savings. However, reports show that while task-level productivity may improve, overall performance often declines. This paradox stems from localized optimizations that create downstream bottlenecks and technical debt. Organizations must focus on responsible AI integration, skill preservation, and systemic thinking to avoid short-term gains leading to long-term decline.