AI is becoming increasingly important in software development
New research shows that the integration of AI into software development is already widespread, with testing, quality assurance and security vulnerability detection possible, and that it can significantly boost productivity.
A new OutSystems questionnaire of over 550 software managers across industries found that three-quarters of software managers saw a 50% reduction in development time thanks to AI tools and automation.
“With AI, historically impossible transformation projects are not only possible, but also easier, cheaper and faster to execute,” said Paulo Rosado, CEO of OutSystems.
There is no escaping AI in software development
The research shows that AI is still an emerging technology, with the majority (84%) of respondents saying their organizations first started incorporating AI into their software development lifecycle (SDLC) between six months and five years ago.
Looking ahead, 71% say they plan to integrate AI into application development and SDLC management workflows, underscoring a shift in the typical role and responsibilities of a developer.
“The role of the developer is shifting from code writer to code reviewer… as (LLMs) evolve and trust in the resulting code increases, the role of the developer will become more like an orchestrator and acceptance tester of AI-generated outputs,” said Rodrigo Coutinho, OutSystems AI Project Manager.
However, businesses continue to struggle with regulatory and compliance challenges, leaving several areas currently untouched by AI. One in three respondents reported a backlog of 150 to 800 use cases for generative AI.
There are other concerns as well, such as the limited availability of skilled labor, difficulties integrating generative AI into existing technology stacks and workflows, and the fear that AI could replace human workers.
Michael Harper, MD at KPMG US, OutSystem’s collaborative partner for the research, sums it up: “While there will be challenges, those with effective change management initiatives will reskill and upskill their workforces, leading to a simultaneous development of AI and jobs.”