The Future of Software Development
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly changing the IT industry, creating a new dynamic where human creativity and machine efficiency work together to reshape software development. Expanding on our piece featured on Forbes (read here), about AI and flexible team structures, this article examines how AI is redefining IT, highlighting the strong connection between AI advancements and changing team roles.
How AI is Changing Software Development
AI has evolved from simply being a helpful tool to becoming central to software development. It automates repetitive tasks and accelerates innovation. Today, developers use AI-driven tools like Tabnine and Qodo for code completion, improving their coding speed and accuracy. These tools analyze extensive codebases to give instant suggestions, reducing mistakes and speeding up development. Visual Studio Co-Pilot and other add-ons are also used regularly by Velv’s teams. It definitely accelerated delivery times in more repetitive tasks.
A great example of this shift is "vibe coding," where developers explain the desired features in everyday language, and AI translates that into functional code. This makes software creation accessible even to those with limited coding knowledge, expanding innovation opportunities.
Nonetheless, humans excel in creativity. While AI generates text and helps get to the correct answer most of the times, when creating something new or analyzing a full spectrum of possibilities in a project, developers win. The future is being built for developers who contribute constantly, that invest in their education and that want to evolve.
Changing Team Structures and New Roles
With AI taking on more coding tasks, the role of software engineers is shifting. They're now more focused on designing sophisticated systems, planning implementations, and ensuring AI is used ethically. This shift requires flexible team setups that integrate AI tools, enhancing cooperation between human specialists and AI capabilities.
Organizations are adopting agile methods enhanced by AI to boost productivity. Deloitte, for example, promotes an "engineering first mindset," where consultants use AI to develop creative solutions. This reflects a broader trend of integrating AI across various industries.
Challenges and Ethical Issues
Integrating AI into software development introduces challenges like potential job displacement and ethical concerns. While AI efficiently manages routine tasks, human oversight remains vital for complex and ethical decisions. Developers need to ensure AI systems remain transparent, fair, and aligned with societal values.
Preparing for the AI-Driven Future
To succeed in this changing environment, IT professionals should:
• Commit to Continuous Learning: Stay updated on AI technologies and their practical applications.
• Improve Soft Skills: Develop critical thinking, adaptability, and collaborative skills.
• Advocate Ethical AI: Recognize and promote responsible and ethical AI usage.
Ultimately, the AI revolution is reshaping IT, creating exciting new possibilities for innovation. By treating AI as a collaborative partner, professionals can enhance efficiency and contribute to a future where technology and human insight advance together.
At Velv, we are committed to staying in touch with the evolution of AI and integrating these advancements into our practices. We have started VelvLabs where our teams can contribute and show off their capabilities, explore new technologies and improve our way of work. We will continue doing investments and look for new opportunities to deepen our knowledge in AI.