Human-Centric AI integration in IT and software SMEs : A Qualitative Study of Developer Experiences with AI Tools in SME Organizations

Sammanfattning

This study examines how small and medium software companies use AI tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT while keeping their human workers skilled and creative. Small companies face special problems when using AI because they have less money and fewer people than big companies. This research explores how developers in small companies actually use AI tools and adapt them to fit their needs. Six software developers from different small companies were interviewed and their responses were analyzed to identify four main patterns. First, companies create rules requiring humans to check all AI-generated code before using it. Second, they make sure junior developers still learn to code properly instead of relying too much on AI. Third, because AI tools don't explain their decisions, companies develop ways for humans to stay in control. Fourth, small companies find creative ways to use AI that are different from what big companies do because they have fewer resources. The results reveal substantial productivity improvements achieved through distinctive organizational strategies. SMEs employ mandatory human verification systems, graduated skill development approaches where junior developers must demonstrate manual coding proficiency before AI access, collective knowledge sharing between companies, and embedding AI governance into existing roles. These strategies demonstrate how small companies preserve developer value while gaining automation benefits, showing that successful AI integration in resource-constrained environments requires fundamentally different approaches than those used by large enterprises. This research helps us understand how small companies successfully integrate AI through practical strategies that balance efficiency with human expertise. The study documents how SMEs actively manage AI adoption to maintain developer value, providing evidence-based insights for other small software companies navigating similar challenges.