In 2026, developers have become so reliant on AI coding tools that researchers found it nearly impossible to pry them away, according to a study by METR, a respected AI research lab. While AI is helping coders produce code faster, it may not be leading to better code, researchers warn. This reliance could lead to problems in the future, as developers are increasingly dependent on AI tools for their work. METR initially aimed to update research from 2025 on AI coding productivity, but found that developers were unwilling to participate in the study, as they did not wish to work without AI. Instead, METR published a survey in May allowing technical employees to self-report their AI productivity gains. Developers perceived AI made them twice as valuable to their organizations, but recent trends suggest such self-perceptions may be misleading. Tokenmaxxing, the practice of using token counts as a proxy for productivity, has been a trend in 2026 but may already be over. Amazon shut down its internal token-tracking leaderboard, Kirorank, after employees gamed it by using AI agents excessively and running up costs. Uber also spent its entire 2026 AI budget within the first four months, according to The Information. AI-generated code may not reduce maintenance needs and could even increase them, as argued by programmer James Shore. *Source: [techcrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/29/coders-are-refusing-to-work-without-ai-and-that-could-come-back-to-bite-them/)*