And although Python dominates in research and prototyping, Java and Kotlin are strong choices for production AI systems, especially in large-scale enterprise environments.

While Python still gets top billing when it comes to developing for AI, Java proponents see the nearly 30-year-old Java programming language ready to take charge in the AI field.

Python, the number one programming language in the TIOBE Programming Language Community Index in August, has further solidified its place at the top.

Only twice in TIOBE Programming Index history has a language commanded such a high percentage of developers’ interest.

Oracle announced a language server tool for Java developers using Visual Studio Code to provide language-specific 'smarts' in the super-popular, open source-based, cross-platform code editor.