As technology continues to advance, the role of software engineers is evolving faster than ever. With generative AI (GenAI) on the rise, a recent report from Gartner reveals a significant shift on the horizon: up to 80% of the engineering workforce will need to upskill by 2027 to remain relevant in their careers. So, what does this mean for you as a software engineer?
According to Philip Walsh, Sr Principal Analyst at Gartner, “Bold claims on the ability of AI have led to speculation that AI could reduce demand for human engineers or even supplant them entirely.” However, he emphasises that while AI will transform the role of software engineers, human expertise and creativity will always be essential to delivering complex, innovative software.
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Gartner analysts predict that AI will affect software engineering in three distinct phases:
In the initial phase, AI tools will enhance existing workflows, providing modest productivity boosts. This benefit will be particularly pronounced for senior developers working in organisations with established engineering practices.
As AI agents evolve, developers will be able to automate and delegate more tasks, leading to what Gartner describes as AI-native software engineering. Most code will be generated by AI rather than written by humans. Walsh notes, “In the AI-native era, software engineers will adopt an ‘AI-first’ mindset,” focusing on guiding AI agents with relevant context and constraints.
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The demand for skilled software engineers will surge as organisations strive to build AI-empowered applications. “Building AI-empowered software will demand a new breed of software professional, the AI engineer,” says Walsh, highlighting the need for engineers with a unique blend of software engineering, data science, and AI/machine learning skills.
In a survey of 300 organisations in the US and UK, 56% of software engineering leaders identified AI/machine learning engineers as the most in-demand role for 2024.