10 Key Insights: How Kotlin Developers Are Navigating AI-Powered Development

Artificial intelligence is transforming the software landscape at an unprecedented pace. For Kotlin developers, this means new tools for code completion, AI chat assistants, autonomous coding agents, and evolving workflows every month. But how effectively do these innovations integrate with Kotlin? To answer this, JetBrains has launched a community survey specifically focused on AI-assisted development with Kotlin. This article breaks down the ten most critical aspects of this initiative—from current friction points to future opportunities—and shows you how your participation can shape the future of Kotlin in the age of AI.

1. The AI Revolution in Coding

AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it's actively reshaping how developers write, review, learn, and maintain code. Code completion tools like IntelliJ's AI assistant, chat interfaces such as GitHub Copilot Chat, and autonomous coding agents are becoming standard parts of the daily toolkit. For Kotlin developers, these tools promise faster development cycles and reduced boilerplate. However, the real question is whether these AI solutions understand Kotlin's concise syntax, coroutines, and nullable types as well as they understand more mainstream languages. The survey aims to uncover exactly where these tools excel and where they fall short.

2. Kotlin's Unique Position in the AI Ecosystem

Kotlin offers a modern, expressive language that runs on the JVM, Android, and even multiplatform projects. Its seamless interoperability with Java, combined with features like data classes and extension functions, makes it a powerful choice. Yet, AI models are often trained predominantly on Java or Python codebases, potentially overlooking Kotlin-specific idioms. Understanding how AI tools perform with Kotlin's unique constructs is vital. This survey will help identify whether AI-generated suggestions respect Kotlin's null safety, coroutine scoping, and DSL patterns—critical for maintaining clean, idiomatic code.

3. Current AI Tools in Use by Kotlin Developers

From JetBrains' own AI Assistant to third-party plugins, Kotlin developers are experimenting with a variety of AI tools. Code completion that predicts next tokens, AI chat that answers questions about standard libraries, and autonomous agents that can refactor entire functions are all in play. The survey wants to know which tools you rely on, how often you use them, and what specific tasks they help with—whether it's writing tests, optimizing algorithms, or generating boilerplate. By collecting this data, the community can push for better support in the tools that matter most.

4. Friction Points: Where AI Struggles with Kotlin

Despite rapid advances, AI tools still face challenges with Kotlin. Common pain points include incorrect handling of coroutines, generating overly verbose code instead of idiomatic Kotlin, and misunderstanding type inference for nullable types. Developers also report that AI sometimes suggests Java-style patterns that clash with Kotlin conventions. This friction can lead to additional debugging time rather than time savings. The survey aims to pinpoint the most frequent and frustrating issues, providing clear guidance for tool makers to refine their models and deliver more accurate, Kotlin-aware assistance.

5. Opportunities Ahead for AI and Kotlin Integration

Despite current friction, the potential for AI-enhanced Kotlin development is enormous. Imagine AI that deeply understands Kotlin Multiplatform and can generate platform-specific code automatically. Or an AI assistant that not only refactors but also suggests optimal coroutine dispatchers and flow operators. The survey is a chance to voice what features you dream of—better debugging hints, intelligent documentation generation, or even automated migration from Java to Kotlin. Your input will help prioritize the next wave of AI innovation within the Kotlin ecosystem.

6. The Purpose of the Community Survey

JetBrains is launching a short, focused survey to hear directly from Kotlin developers about their experiences with AI. The goal is to assemble a comprehensive picture of what works, what doesn't, and what the community truly needs. Questions cover frequency of AI use, satisfaction levels, and desired improvements. By participating, you're not just giving feedback—you're helping to drive the direction of future tooling. The survey is open to all Kotlin developers, whether you're a beginner or an expert, and takes only a few minutes to complete.

7. How to Participate and Share Your Voice

Participating is straightforward: visit the official survey link (available on the Kotlin blog and social channels) and complete the questionnaire. Your responses will be anonymized and used solely to improve developer experiences. The survey is open for a limited time, so act now to ensure your perspective is counted. JetBrains encourages honest, detailed answers—whether your experience is positive or negative, every insight helps shape better tools. Don't miss this chance to influence the future of Kotlin in the age of AI.

8. Sweet Incentives: Prizes for Participants

To thank you for your time, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a draw for your choice of two great prizes: a USD 50 Amazon Gift Card, perfect for buying technical books or gear, or a six-month JetBrains All Products Pack subscription, giving you access to all their professional tools. These incentives are designed to show appreciation while encouraging widespread participation. Winners will be notified by email after the survey closes. It's a small reward for a big contribution to the Kotlin community's AI journey.

9. The Impact of Your Feedback on Future Development

Your survey responses will directly inform JetBrains' product roadmap for AI features in Kotlin. If developers report that AI struggles with coroutines, you can expect improved coroutine-aware suggestions in coming releases. If many desire better documentation generation, that could become a priority. The aggregated data will be shared (anonymously) with the community to foster transparency. Ultimately, your feedback closes the loop between real-world usage and tool evolution, ensuring that Kotlin remains a first-class citizen in the AI-driven development world.

10. Bonus for KotlinConf 2026 Attendees

If you're planning to attend KotlinConf 2026, there's an extra reason to complete the survey. After finishing it, visit the registration counter at the conference to chat with the JetBrains team and receive a small thank-you gift. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide live feedback or demo your own AI workflows. Whether you're a speaker, an attendee, or a first-timer, your on-the-ground insights will complement the survey data. Don't forget to bring your survey completion confirmation—either printed or on your phone—to claim your gift.

The future of Kotlin in the age of AI is not predetermined—it's shaped by the experiences and ideas of its community. By taking a few minutes to complete this survey, you directly contribute to making AI tools smarter, more context-aware, and genuinely helpful for Kotlin developers. Expect improvements in code completion, refactoring, and debugging that truly understand Kotlin's nuances. Plus, you get a chance to win a useful prize. So click the survey link, share your perspective, and help define what comes next. The Kotlin community is listening, and the results will drive innovation for years to come.