Software workers around the world are excited to use Gen AI at work

By James On Jul 15, 2024

New research has found that an overwhelming majority (85%) of global software workers expect to adopt GenAI tools within the next two years.

A Capgemini survey of nearly 2,200 senior managers and software professionals found that AI is being widely adopted by developers, with the technology promising to dramatically improve efficiency.

Four in five software professionals believe that GenAI will significantly change their role by automating simple, repetitive and administrative tasks, freeing them up to focus on meaningful work.

AI to transform software development

While adoption is still in its early stages and nine in 10 organizations have yet to scale their efforts, organizations that have implemented GenAI initiatives have already reported improvements in innovation (61%) and higher software quality (49%).

The study also addresses the ongoing concern that technology could replace human workers. Capgemini revealed that organizations plan to use the freed-up time to develop new software features (50%) and reskill their workforce (47%), underscoring the role of technology as a tool to help, not replace, human workers.

In contrast, reducing headcount was the least favoured approach, with only 4% of organisations surveyed considering it.

However, concerns have been raised about the security and legal risks of using generative AI in the workplace, with companies failing to keep pace with both trends and employee demands. Nearly half (46%) of software engineers are using GenAI, but two-thirds (63%) of them admit to using unauthorised versions, which can lead to hallucinations, leaks and other IP issues.

Pierre-Yves Glever, Head of Global Cloud & Custom Applications at Capgemini, commented: “(The impact of generative AI) on coding efficiency and quality is measurable and proven… However, we must not forget that the real value comes from a holistic software engineering approach, which goes beyond implementing a single ‘new’ tool.”

Glever concluded: “This includes addressing business needs with robust and relevant design, setting up comprehensive developer workspaces and assistants, implementing quality and security gates, and building effective software teams.”