The influence of AI on the workplace is currently one of the most relevant subjects for business and technology leaders, and those in charge of software development teams are no exception. Diego Lo Giudice, a vice president, and Mike Gualtieri, a principal analyst, share their unique perspectives on how AI is already affecting the role of the developer and what the future holds in this episode.
An explanation of TuringBots (AI systems that assist software developers during various stages of development), Forrester’s background in investigating the subject, and the origin of the name come first in the episode (a nod to computer science pioneer Alan Turing).
The discussion then shifts to the advantages and benefits of TuringBots. Forrester projects that TuringBots will write 10% of all code and tests globally by 2023, despite the fact that there are trillions of dollars spent annually on software development worldwide, as noted by Gualtieri. So, these “small little percentages” of productivity gains result in significant cost reductions for businesses. But, there are hazards involved, and the conversation continues to cover developer worries about security licensing difficulties.
Following that, Lo Giudice goes over some of the use cases for TuringBots throughout the entire software development lifecycle, including coding, testing, and security. 30% of engineers utilize AI and machine learning during the testing stage of development, according to Forrester research.
If we go a little deeper, Lo Giudice explains how chat-based generative AI like ChatGPT probably won’t work within an IDE, but technologies like GitHub Copilot or Tabnine are, or will be, embedded in integrated development environments (IDEs).
Mixed feelings exist among software developers over the use of AI. While some developers struggle with trust and worry about being “replaced” by AI, Lo Giudice notes that most organizations are using AI to automate more manual tasks in the cycle, giving developers more time to concentrate on the fulfilling and creative aspects of their work, which boosts job satisfaction and retention.
