**Hacker News poster questions scarcity of studies demonstrating AI productivity benefits, despite claims of significant improvements. A Dora report found only 17% increase in individual effectiveness with AI coding assistance, accompanied by 9% more instability in production.

Measuring AI productivity proves challenging due to the rapidly evolving nature of tools and varied applications. Unlike electricity adoption which took decades to show clear effects, AI tools have only matured in the past six months, making comprehensive studies difficult.

The author points out that despite AI automating scaffolding work, app store growth hasn't demonstrated expected productivity surges. Studies showing perceived productivity gains often reveal minimal real improvements, suggesting a gap between marketing claims and actual measurable benefits.**