Core Insights - Stack Overflow, once a leading platform for developers, has seen a significant decline in question volume, now lower than its initial launch period 18 years ago [1][11] - The rise of AI coding tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT has shifted developer behavior, reducing the need for public questions [11][12] - The platform's initial success was due to its structured Q&A format, which provided high-quality, reusable answers, but it has struggled to maintain this quality in recent years [5][7][14] Group 1: Historical Context - Stack Overflow was launched in 2008, quickly becoming a vital resource for programmers who previously relied on forums and blogs for solutions [5] - At its peak from 2013 to 2017, Stack Overflow had over 180 sub-sites covering various STEM fields, establishing itself as the largest developer knowledge infrastructure [8] Group 2: Decline Factors - The number of questions on Stack Overflow has been declining, exacerbated by the introduction of AI tools that allow developers to solve problems without public inquiries [11][12] - The platform's strict moderation policies led to a decrease in participation, as many new users faced their questions being removed for not meeting formatting or complexity standards [13] Group 3: Current Challenges - Despite integrating AI features to adapt to changing user needs, the quality of content on Stack Overflow has reportedly declined, leading to decreased trust among developers [14] - A 2025 report indicated that while AI tool usage among developers reached 84%, trust in these tools has diminished, reflecting a broader crisis for Stack Overflow [14][15] Group 4: Future Considerations - The future of Stack Overflow may hinge on whether it can refocus on niche technical areas or fully embrace AI to redefine its operational model [16]