Can AI Replace Drupal Developers? See What an Experiment Suggests

A recent blog post published on Drupal Helps explores the potential of AI, specifically ChatGPT, in generating functional Drupal modules, revealing promising results and practical insights for developers. The author, Rod Martin tested ChatGPT’s ability to create two distinct Drupal modules: the “FPS” module, which allows users to switch between multiple homepage options, and the “Custom Taxonomy Title” module, designed to adjust default taxonomy term page titles based on vocabulary.

In both cases, ChatGPT produced structured, usable code, including files for routing, permissions, and controllers. The FPS module provided a user-friendly interface for updating the homepage without menu access, while the Custom Taxonomy Title module adapted outdated hooks to newer methods, showing AI’s adaptability. Though these modules saved development time, the author emphasized that AI cannot replace a developer’s foundational knowledge, particularly in troubleshooting.

For junior developers, this experiment highlights the growing role of AI in handling straightforward tasks, underscoring the importance of advancing skills to tackle complex projects. The post concludes that while AI is a powerful tool, developers remain essential to the process.