Technology is all around us in modern life and is continually developing at a rapid pace. One example of a significant technology that is developing rapidly is AI.
Short for artificial intelligence, AI refers to computers and computer software that can simulate real human intelligence in how they perform. AI has made a real impact across numerous sectors and has become the subject of fervent debate in the software engineering world.
Artificial intelligence and software engineers
Software is a key component of how computers function in the modern world and enables people to carry out a variety of machine-based tasks in their professional or personal lives. In the past, developing the latest software was the sole job of qualified human software engineers. This has remained a very popular career choice for those who wish to work with computers, as we will always need expertly crafted software.
The rise of artificial intelligence, however, has led to some concern in this sector around the potential effect it could have on jobs. Although this is understandable, it should not be an issue as long as software engineers embrace AI as part of their role. They could for example allow AI-backed programs to complete essential yet repetitive development tasks, whilst human engineers work on more creative issues that AI cannot handle.
Therefore, aspiring AI developers would be well advised to complete a program of advanced study that helps them to work with this tech, rather than against it. The online Master’s in Computer Science program from Baylor University is a top choice in this regard and teaches students how to use AI to create innovative software solutions.
How can software engineers use AI to excel in their roles?
Whether it be the use of AI in healthcare or the auto sector, it is hard to deny what a massive impact it has made. This is also true in software engineering and it’s therefore key for professionals in the industry to know how to use artificial intelligence to their advantage.
The best approach to take here is to consider the possibilities AI offers for creating more impressive products. By using it in this way, engineers are able to develop solutions that will get them noticed for all the right reasons.
But just how can software engineers utilize this tech to thrive in career terms?
Automated code generation
One aspect of developing software that is key for offering an excellent user experience and ensuring a product works properly is coding. This usually sees software engineers having to spend a lot of time manually typing out lines of code.
AI can help by automatically generating the code that software runs on by analyzing previous code and how it’s structured. Tools such as Amazon CodeWhisperer are popular solutions for engineers to use here. Auto code generation not only sees this job completed quicker but also saves engineers the tedious task of coding software manually.
Enhanced code review and quality assurance
Quality assurance is massive for software engineers and sees them continuously checking their product is working as intended and offers a superb user experience. Without this in place during the development process, engineers run the risk of creating a solution that is full of bugs or contains broken/incorrect coding.
AI can be used to software engineers’ advantage as part of this quality assurance process and to review the code a piece of software runs on. Using AI to do this is a lot faster and also produces more accurate results because human error is removed from the equation.
Predictive analytics for project management
Developing a new piece of software is always a big project and one that needs managing effectively. Software engineers can use AI to their advantage therefore by understanding how powerful it can be for predictive analysis.
This sees AI able to learn from past data collected on the project and make predictive analyses on new, unseen data. This type of inference can help engineers pick up on potential issues that may occur such as system failure, user behavior, or the use of resources. Engineers can then use this knowledge to manage projects more effectively and be ready to deal with any issues proactively.
Natural Language Processing for documentation
Natural Language Processing (NLP for short) is a subset of AI that focuses on the ability of computers to interpret, generate, and understand natural human language. The main goal of NLP is to make it simpler for humans to engage in a meaningful way with computers. It is something that not only has great use in things such as chatbots but also for the documentation of test cases.
This usage around the documentation of testing is especially useful for software engineers. This is because NLP allows engineers to automate the testing process and remove the previous manual approach to documenting software testing. Using NLP can be very useful for software engineers because it automates a tedious, time-consuming process and ensures the documentation of any testing is error-free.
Chatbots and virtual assistants for customer support
One use for artificial intelligence, which we see in a lot of sectors now, is chatbots or virtual assistants for customer support. This is common in many online stores, for example, where chatbots powered by AI tech offer answers to the most common customer queries.
Software engineers can use this concept in their work to create solutions that are truly astounding. By using AI-backed virtual assistants in their software, engineers can offer the best user experience and allow intelligent chatbots to boost customer satisfaction levels. This kind of AI-based solution is ideal for enabling users to get quick answers to questions and is therefore popular among customers and businesses alike.
Software engineering and AI make a great team
Change is something that many people get a little unnerved by and which can have a noticeable impact on affected industries. The rise of AI is a good example of this and is already starting to make its presence felt in software engineering. Professionals in this field, however, should not be scared by AI and should instead recognize the many benefits it can offer to them when used properly.
