Python has reached new heights in the Tiobe index of programming language popularity, and AI coding assistants are getting a lot of the credit. In July 2025, Python scored an impressive 26.98% in the monthly index, which dates back to June 2001. It maintained its top spot in August, albeit with a slightly lower rating of 26.14%. According to Paul Jansen, CEO of Tiobe, AI assistants are helping boost Python’s popularity.

Jansen believes that AI code assistants have given Python a competitive edge over other languages. He noted that there’s more code available from popular programming languages to train the AI models, making it easier for developers to get started with Python. This trend is visible in the Tiobe index, where a consolidation of languages at the top is seen.

“Why would you start to learn a new obscure language for which no AI assistance is available?” Jansen asked. “This is the modern way of saying that you don’t want to learn a new language that is hardly documented and/or has too few libraries that can help you.” In other words, with AI coding assistants on the rise, it’s easier to stick with what you know – and for many developers, that means sticking with Python.

Perl, another older language, has also seen a significant boost in popularity. It rose from 25th place last year to 9th this month, with a rating of 2.08%. However, Jansen couldn’t explain why Perl is suddenly gaining traction. “Honestly, I don’t have any clue why this is the case,” he said.

The Tiobe index rates the popularity of programming languages based on the number of skilled engineers worldwide, courses, and third-party vendors pertinent to each language. The ratings are calculated using popular websites such as Google, Amazon, Bing, Wikipedia, and more than 20 others.

So what does this mean for the future of programming? As Jansen noted, there’s a general trend towards older languages becoming more popular again. This could be due to a range of factors, including the ease of use and availability of code for these languages. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: AI coding assistants are having a profound impact on the programming landscape.

The Rise of Python and Perl

Python’s meteoric rise in popularity is not surprising, given its versatility and ease of use. However, the addition of AI coding assistants has given it a significant boost. As Jansen noted, why learn a new language when you can use an AI assistant to make your job easier? Perl, on the other hand, has seen a more unexpected surge in popularity.

According to the Tiobe index, Python and C++ are the top two programming languages of August 2025. However, Perl’s jump from 25th place last year to 9th this month is particularly noteworthy. As Jansen noted, there’s no clear explanation for why Perl is gaining traction.

The Future of Programming

So what does this mean for the future of programming? As Jansen noted, there’s a general trend towards older languages becoming more popular again. This could be due to a range of factors, including the ease of use and availability of code for these languages.

One thing is clear: AI coding assistants are having a profound impact on the programming landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, it’s worth keeping an eye on how these trends develop in the months to come.

Inspired by

• https://www.infoworld.com/article/4033860/python-popularity-boosted-by-ai-coding-assistants-tiobe.html

Sources

• tiobe.com
• github.io