How researchers are using GitHub Innovation Graph data to estimate the impact of ChatGPT

Economic researchers are applying causal inference techniques to analyze the impact of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, on software development. They specifically examine the effect of these tools on the speed of software development by investigating GitHub's Innovation Graph data, which details time-sensitive metrics of software development from around the world. Initial research suggests that AI tools have not caused a significant increase in the number of developers or projects, but have increased the speed of existing software development processes. The researchers suggest these tools could become standard in software engineering, boosting productivity and accelerating software production.