I’m a software developer, and AI has changed my job in 3 major ways

Software engineer Andrew Caldwell, based in Tarpon Springs, Florida, has observed that AI has brought about three significant changes to his job as a software developer. First and foremost, AI now generates approximately 80% of the code he releases, enabling him to accomplish more and move swiftly between different aspects of development.

He credits AI for facilitating the transition from web development to mobile app creation, allowing him to contribute to a mobile companion app for a web application within just three weeks. This transition, which would have required a more extended learning curve in the past, was expedited by the assistance of AI.

Secondly, Caldwell has noticed an increased emphasis on code review and core programming skills due to AI's involvement. The generative nature of AI has raised concerns about the quality and security of the code it generates, leading to a greater emphasis on thorough reviews before deploying any code. "I now spend more time reviewing code than writing it," he states, "and I've put in a conscious effort to hand-code for about two hours daily to maintain my understanding of how systems function."

Lastly, AI has blurred the lines between various roles within a development team. Traditionally, there was a clear distinction between front-end, back-end, mobile, and QA developers, each responsible for writing their own code. However, with the advent of AI, these boundaries are becoming less pronounced. Caldwell's team has recently worked on a mobile app, a task that would have traditionally fallen to a dedicated mobile developer.

By leveraging AI, the team was able to accomplish this in just three weeks, effectively merging previously distinct disciplines. This shift has caused Caldwell to reflect on the importance of maintaining human oversight in the development process to ensure the quality and security of the final product.