A study shows that using the Cursor AI assistant increased task completion time by 19% for experienced developers, contrary to expectations.

METR's study found that instead of improving efficiency, AI tools can slow down experienced software developers, increasing the average time to complete tasks by 19%. Although developers expected an increase in productivity, the reality was the opposite. This slowdown was attributed to the need to review and correct AI-generated hints. While the results do not apply to everyone, juniors could benefit more from AI assistance. Despite the slowdown, the majority of participants continue to use Cursor, believing that using AI makes coding more enjoyable.