Olivia Bruhin

Date/Time: 25.03.2026, 12:00 

Location: D2.2.094 

Full Title: Skill erosion or skill evolution? Impact of GenAI tools on junior ISD professionals and how it impacts their learning journey 

Abstract 

As Generative AI tools become a standard component of the software development lifecycle, the learning journey for junior professionals is being fundamentally reconfigured. While current debates often view "deskilling" solely as a deficit, our longitudinal study suggests a more nuanced reality: GenAI reallocates cognitive load, turning the "offloading" of routine tasks into a strategic necessity for skill evolution. We examine this shift by distinguishing between three work system phases: the pre-GenAI state of manual execution (V0), the augmented state of rapid efficiency (V1), and the emerging habitualized state where AI agents act as teammates (V2). We show how the erosion of manual coding skills can enable a transition toward higher-level orchestration and problem-solving, provided the trade-offs between automation and deep understanding are managed. Unlike traditional tooling, which aimed to optimize tasks, these developments reshape professional identity. By clarifying the conditions under which deskilling fosters rather than hinders growth, this study aims to advance research on how learning adapts when AI becomes a partner in the work system.

Bio 

Olivia Bruhin is a PhD candidate in Information Systems at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). She has a background in Business Innovation and IT consulting and works extensively at the intersection of academia and industry. Her research focuses on the organizational impact of Generative AI in software engineering, particularly on how organizations navigate adoption barriers, facilitate job crafting, and leverage AI tools for operational excellence.