Discover the top AI tools transforming software development in 2025. Learn how developers use AI to code faster, collaborate better, and ship weekly.
The game has changed for developers.
You no longer have to write every line of code yourself. AI tools have become essential teammates that speed up coding, automate routine tasks, and help you ship products faster.
Whether you're a solo developer, indie founder, or part of a growing team, the pressure to deliver quickly without sacrificing quality is real. AI is how you scale your output without burning out.
That's exactly what Built This Week champions. Every week, we show builders how to integrate the most effective AI developer tools into real projects - no fluff, just builds that ship.
Here's how the newest AI tools for developers are pushing limits and changing workflows in 2025.
What it replaces: Manual code writing, Google searching snippets
GitHub Copilot X uses natural language to write code directly in your IDE. It's deeply integrated with Visual Studio Code and other editors.
Why we use it: It cuts coding time dramatically by generating context-aware suggestions so you focus on logic, not syntax.
What it replaces: Basic autocomplete and snippet managers
Tabnine provides AI-powered code completions with privacy-focused deployment options, making it secure for business use.
Why we use it: Its seamless privacy compliance and intelligent predictions let us code confidently in any environment.
What it replaces: Manual AWS SDK usage and security checks
Tailored for AWS developers, CodeWhisperer offers inline security scanning and smart recommendations within AWS environments.
Why we use it: It accelerates cloud integration and helps us write safer, more scalable infrastructure code.
What it replaces: Standard VSCode without AI context
Windsurf IDE is a VSCode fork with AI features like persistent context understanding, real-time collaborative coding, and natural language generation.
Why we use it: It lets us keep context across sessions and collaborate live with AI-powered assistance.
What it replaces: Basic code editors without AI insights
Cursor understands your entire codebase and connects to multiple language models, enabling smarter suggestions and faster understanding.
Why we use it: Its deep codebase comprehension saves hours on ramping up and debugging.
What it replaces: Manual code reviews and documentation writing
Built on Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude Code offers advanced suggestions, automated documentation, and refactor recommendations.
Why we use it: It improves code quality and accelerates documentation with minimal effort.
AI is integrating everywhere in developer workflows.
85% of developers now regularly use AI tools, showing just how integral they’ve become.
Built This Week isn’t theory or marketing hype. We demo real AI tools powering real builds.
Sam and Jordan consistently test these tools live, showing how they impact shipping speed and product quality.
Each episode breaks down workflows using AI, practical tips for integration, and honest assessments of limitations.
Let's be honest. Speed is everything.
AI lets you shortcut repetitive work so you can focus on what truly matters - solving problems and shipping fast.
Whether you’re solo or in a team, the right AI tools shift the balance from busy work to creative building.
Built This Week shows that mastering these tools is how you keep shipping week after week without burnout.
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Because if you're solo, your speed is your edge. Ship something this week.
