The Impact of AI on Software Development

The impact of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution has unquestionably touched all corners of the world of technology. Whilst AI was first introduced in the mid-20th century, it’s recent impact on technology has been especially transformative.

When it comes to the topic of software development, it’s clear that AI has reshaped the processes behind designing and building software. Alongside this, AI has been utilised to enhance and elevate the productivity and accuracy of software programmes.

In this blog, we’ll be exploring some key changes and advancements that have been brought on by the ever-evolving relationship between software development and AI.

Automated Code Generation

Code is widely recognised as being the most foundational component of any software programme. Traditionally, the responsibility of code generation lies solely in the hands of human developers. However, an interesting process that has been crafted through the utilisation of AI is that of automated code generation. In the current software development landscape, tools such as GitHub Copilot have developed the ability to generate complete code blocks which in turn accelerates the coding process. This is achieved through the assistance of machine learning.

This is a feature that can be harnessed by human developers, allowing them to reduce human error whilst being able to focus on tasks of a more creative and complex nature.

Enhanced Testing and Quality Checks

Testing is a critical step within the software development process. Effective testing procedures ensure that software is accurate, functional, and reliable. The role of software testing has been revolutionised by AI with AI showcasing its ability to automatically scan for and detect bugs, inconsistencies, and vulnerabilities. As a result, AI has demonstrated how it can be incorporated into testing exercises and consequently improve software quality.

Improved Project Management

AI’s influence on project management has seen it being used as a tool for automating routine tasks and duties. This has supported the improvement of time efficiency and resource allocation. Furthermore, AI-driven tools have played a key role in the real-time monitoring and analysis of system performance, supporting smooth deployments. In the present day, those involved in a project have the opportunity to implement a greater level of organisation and clarity within projects through the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Enhanced Software Maintenance

AI can optimise the processes involved in software development in a multitude of ways. For maintenance, AI has enabled an effective means of predicting system failures and understanding beneficial optimisations. This supports developers with being proactive and prepared with their approach, as opposed to being rash and reactive. Ultimately, the more equipped a software developer is, the better they’ll be able to manage the challenges that come their way.

Increased Security

As mentioned, AI-driven tools have been widely used to detect problematic system issues. This includes security threats which place the health of a system at risk. AI’s security optimising capabilities have made it a popular risk mitigation tool, one that can protect against issues before they escalate.

How Will Software Development Continue to Develop?

As AI continues to evolve and establish itself as a tool that’s used on a widespread level, it’s likely that its relationship with software development will continue to change. Whilst the true outcomes of AI’s evolution are unknown, there seems to be a strong prediction that the reliance on AI from human developers will continue to rise.

It seems that all industries are embracing and nurturing innovation. As AI continues to transform the world of today, there’s no doubt that it will give rise to further technological advancements and software systems that are more evolved than ever before.

Did you Know? At SES, we work closely with the legal sector.

Our involvement with law community involves our team of experts providing ongoing support and guidance on the ever-growing intertwined relationship between technology and law. We recently collaborated with our incredible partner, the Society for Computers & Law (SCL) on an article that explores the impact of AI on the legal sector as well as its impact on software escrow. Read it here.