Impact of using generative artificial intelligence on the productivity of software developers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31734/agroengineering2024.28.196Keywords:
generative artificial intelligence, software, software developers, productivityAbstract
The paper highlights that the creation and rapid implementation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a driving force in the further development of technological progress. Analyzing the development of most industries, it can be asserted that its use helps many of them gain added value, as it helps to partially or fully automate a number of functions previously performed by hired employees. The most widespread use of artificial intelligence is observed in manufacturing, healthcare, security, and energy sectors. This indicates a redistribution of professions, where new roles emerge that are necessary for working with AI. These primarily include those who develop solutions using AI, particularly IT specialists and software developers. They use various AI tools - ranging from ChatGPT and Einstein GPT to H2O.ai and beyond.
The study examined how AI can enhance the productivity of software development teams, consisting of individuals with different roles performing various tasks that result in a collective outcome. The research was conducted using the results of software development specialists from SoftServe. Over 1,000 of its employees - programmers working in the company's branches located in seven different countries - participated in projects at various levels. After conducting the planned research, it was established that developers at SoftServe use generative AI to reduce the overall time for software product creation by nearly a third compared to those who did not use AI. The performance and achievement of planned results by the test group in the SDLC project were 45% higher than that of the control group.
Introducing AI into software development workflows improves the productivity of its executors. This is confirmed by the results of its use by C#/.NET Back-End engineers, where productivity increased by an average of 49 %, and the time to achieve the final result decreased by 33 % compared to those who did not use AI. These data demonstrate thagenerative artificial intelligence is beginning to play a significant role in the IT sector, particularly in software development.
Moreover, it was found that the effective use of generative AI reduces development time and increases productivity and helps reduce technical debt at the project implementation stage. Teams that integrated generative AI into their workflows reduced the number of code errors by 25%, which, in turn, contributed to improving overall product quality and reducing future maintenance costs. Thus, AI improves development processes and positively impacts the entire software lifecycle.
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