The adult industry's reliance on technology and engineering expertise has been a driving force behind its growth and success. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of AI on jobs in the sector, particularly among software engineers who are responsible for developing and maintaining the complex systems that underpin online platforms.
Contrary to Expectations
A recent report from SignalFire suggests that engineering roles may be more resilient than expected in the face of AI adoption. The firm's analysis of hiring data across 80 million companies found that while total hiring dropped by 25% compared to 2019 levels, engineering roles saw a much smaller decline of just 11%. In fact, engineers comprised 55% of all new hires in 2025 across the 12 "Tech Majors" companies studied.
This trend is also evident at early-stage startups, which collectively brought on 7% more engineers in 2025 than they did in 2019. SignalFire's head of research, Asher Bantock, argued that if AI were truly substituting for engineering talent, engineering hiring would be the first to fall amid the current tech hiring contraction.
Background and Context
The debate about the impact of AI on jobs has been ongoing for several years, with some experts predicting widespread job displacement while others argue that AI will augment human capabilities rather than replace them. A recent report from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) suggested that 10%-15% of existing jobs could be eliminated as soon as 2031 due to automation.
However, other studies have found that AI is not yet capable of replacing human workers in many fields, including software engineering. A report by Normal Tech argued that the "decide-execute-deliver sandwich" model of knowledge work, which includes software development, resists automation in a way that will not be overcome by capability improvements alone.
Why it Matters to the Industry
The adult industry's reliance on technology and engineering expertise means that any changes in these fields have significant implications for the sector as a whole. If AI were to replace human engineers, it could lead to increased efficiency and productivity, but also potentially disrupt the supply chain of online platforms.
On the other hand, if AI is able to augment human capabilities rather than replace them, it could lead to new opportunities for innovation and growth in the sector. The SignalFire report suggests that this may be the case, with engineers becoming more productive and in demand as a result of AI adoption.
What Comes Next
The future trajectory of demand for software engineering in the adult industry is uncertain, but it is clear that AI will continue to play a major role in shaping the sector. As Normal Tech argued, "the stories of AI-driven mass layoffs in software seem to be classic 'AI washing'".
Key Facts
- Engineering roles saw a decline of just 11% compared to 2019 levels, despite total hiring dropping by 25%
- Engineers comprised 55% of all new hires in 2025 across the 12 "Tech Majors" companies studied
- Early-stage startups collectively brought on 7% more engineers in 2025 than they did in 2019
- The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) suggested that 10%-15% of existing jobs could be eliminated as soon as 2031 due to automation
- A report by Normal Tech argued that the "decide-execute-deliver sandwich" model of knowledge work resists automation in a way that will not be overcome by capability improvements alone
