Identity Threats of GenAI: Defensive and Adaptive Responses of Software Professionals
Lan Cao, Karl Werder, Eun Hee Park, Balasubramaniam Ramesh, Ye Li, Abhishek Kumar · IT Professional · 2026
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping the software development landscape, introducing profound challenges to the professional identities of software developers. This study focuses on the identity threats posed by GenAI tools to software professionals and their effects on learning, skill development, and professional behaviors. Through an exploratory qualitative study, we investigate how software professionals perceive and respond to these challenges. Our findings reveal the nuanced ways in which identity threats shape their appraisals, emotions, and coping behaviors, potentially influencing professional growth and adaptation. Based on these insights, we propose four key recommendations: tailoring learning strategies, co-creating professionals’ identities, adjusting performance evaluation criteria, and fostering leadership advocacy. These recommendations aim to promote sustained professional development amid GenAI-driven transformations.