Global AI Market Set for 35.9% Annual Growth as Tech Focus Shifts from Traditional Development

A recent social media post by "Beff – e/acc" has succinctly captured a significant paradigm shift within the technology industry, moving from a long-standing emphasis on traditional software development to an accelerating focus on Artificial Intelligence. The tweet, stating "> Tired: Developers! 👏 Developers! 👏 Developers! 👏 Wired: AI. [...] AI. [...] AI.", highlights a widely observed reorientation of resources and innovation towards AI technologies. This sentiment reflects a broader trend of rapid AI integration and investment across sectors.

The "Tired" refrain directly references the iconic chant by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in the early 2000s. Ballmer's fervent repetition of "Developers! Developers! Developers!" was a strategic call to action, urging Microsoft to prioritize and attract third-party developers crucial for the growth and survival of its platforms against competitors. This historical moment underscored the era's reliance on human-centric software creation and ecosystem building.

Today, the "Wired" reality points to the explosive growth of the AI market. Valued at approximately $391 billion in 2025, the global AI industry is projected to surge to $1.81 trillion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.9%. This expansion is fueled by increasing enterprise adoption, rising consumer AI interactions, and substantial private investment, particularly in generative AI, which has seen remarkable momentum.

The shift profoundly impacts the role of software developers. While AI tools are automating tasks like code generation, bug detection, and testing, experts suggest AI will augment human capabilities rather than replace them. The demand for software engineers is still projected to grow, but the required skill sets are evolving to include proficiency in AI, machine learning, and data science, allowing tasks that once took days to be completed in hours.

The author's affiliation, "e/acc" (effective accelerationism), further contextualizes this technological pivot. This philosophical movement advocates for rapid, unrestricted technological progress, especially in AI, viewing it as a primary solution to universal human problems. Proponents of e/acc, including prominent Silicon Valley figures, believe in accelerating AI development without regulatory constraints, trusting market competition to drive optimal outcomes for human civilization's advancement.