State of Devs 2026: Exhaustion Tops Developer Emotions as AI Sentiment Remains Polarized

·2026.10.07 08:26

Key point

The State of Devs 2026 survey finds that 'Exhausted' is the most common emotion among developers, while opinions on AI's impact on mental state are deeply divided.

Details

The State of Devs 2026 survey, with 5,463 respondents, reveals that 'Exhausted' is the most frequently reported emotion regarding the tech industry, followed by 'Disillusioned' and 'Overwhelmed'. Regarding AI, nearly half of respondents disagreed that AI tools have had a positive impact on their mental state. While AI use is widespread, common concerns include unsustainable productivity expectations and a lack of positive psychological effects. The survey also highlights ongoing issues with discrimination, particularly against women and LGBT+ developers, who report higher rates of workplace bias and pressure to mask their identities.

mental-health ai-impact workplace-culture developer-survey state-of-devs

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