The 2025 DORA Report examines the impact of artificial intelligence on software development, revealing that AI acts as an "amplifier" of existing team dynamics. Drawing on more than 100 hours of qualitative research and nearly 5,000 surveys of technology professionals, the report highlights that high-performing teams leverage AI to become even more effective, while struggling teams see their existing challenges intensified by AI adoption.
The main findings of the research include near-universal AI adoption, with 90% of respondents using at least one platform, and more than 80% believing that AI increases their productivity. The report introduces a "DORA AI Capabilities Model" that identifies seven team archetypes, ranging from "foundational challenges" to "harmonious high achievers."
This typology allows organizations to position themselves on a maturity continuum and identify improvement levers specific to their situation. The highest-performing teams do not simply adopt AI tools; they cultivate a technical and cultural environment conducive to their optimal use.
The research emphasizes that the value of AI does not lie in the tools themselves, but in the technical practices and cultural environment that surround them. Seven critical capabilities have been identified that amplify the positive impact of AI on the organization: clarity of AI policies, connection to internal context, investment in foundational practices, user-centeredness, platform engineering, a culture of continuous learning, and outcome measurement.
The report places particular emphasis on the importance of platform engineering as a foundation for unlocking AI's potential. Organizations that have invested in robust internal platforms are better positioned to leverage AI capabilities, as they already have the infrastructure, processes, and culture required.
A crucial point of the report is that AI does not fix dysfunctional teams - it amplifies what already exists. A team with poor development practices, nonexistent documentation, or a siloed culture will see these problems exacerbated by AI adoption. Conversely, a team with strong technical fundamentals and a collaborative culture will see its capabilities multiplied.
The report recommends that leaders treat AI adoption as an organizational transformation, not merely a tool deployment. This involves clarifying AI usage policies, connecting AI to the company's internal context, and investing in foundational software development practices.
In conclusion, the 2025 DORA Report provides a strategic roadmap for organizations to move from simple AI adoption to truly unlocking its transformative potential, emphasizing organizational capabilities over technological tools.