AI coding tools reduce enterprise software headcount or external vendor spend faster than new AI-related roles or tooling costs offset the savings, producing net cost compression.

Enterprise software budget and headcount data (e.g., Gartner, IDC, firm-level disclosures) show net reduction in software team size or external dev spend attributable to AI coding tools within a two-year window; falsified if new AI tooling costs and retraining spend offset productivity savings or if headcount holds steady.