AI speeds up internal tool development but raises strategy stakes

AI-driven coding assistants now let teams build internal tools in a day, not months, but maintaining those tools is still a heavy lift. A platform engineering survey found that teams focused on building from scratch—now easier with AI—are over three times as likely to lack a clear strategy compared to those who build on templates or buy tools. Most high-performing teams favor buying tools over custom-building. The strategic stakes are higher than ever.

• 51% of teams mainly buy underlying tools
• Only 17.5% mostly build tools from scratch
• Teams building from scratch often lack clear strategy
• AI coding agents speed up, but don't simplify maintenance
• Ephemeral environments boost AI’s positive impact on teams