According to companies like Nvidia and Microsoft, soon everyone will be able to develop software using AI, without any programming skills, just by giving instructions in natural language. At the GitHub Universe 2024 in San Francisco, attendees got a glimpse into the current state of software development. The conference focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) will change the work of developers. GitHub, part of Microsoft since 2018, showcased AI-supported tools designed to simplify and speed up programming. Daniel Ziegener, a journalist who attended the conference, shared his impressions in a podcast.
One key topic in San Francisco was the development of AI-powered tools, particularly GitHub Copilot and Spark, another tool for programming in natural language. Ziegener explained how Copilot, initially introduced as an auto-completion tool for code, has become central to GitHub’s product strategy. “There are more and more products built around this Copilot,” Ziegener noted.
The vision that soon a billion people could develop software without needing to know programming raises questions about the future of the profession. Ziegener pointed out, “GitHub still emphasizes that programming will not disappear.” However, there are concerns that reliance on AI tools like Spark might prevent young developers from learning programming fundamentals. “The biggest worry was not that software development as we know it might be destroyed. There was more concern about an over-reliance of junior developers on AI tools,” Ziegener reported, referring to a kind of blind trust in these tools.
Companies should ensure that AI tools do not replace work experience, education, and training. An open question is how the use of AI affects code quality. Studies show mixed results. “This shows how young these tools still are,” Ziegener said. Many companies rely mainly on feedback and the “happiness” of their development teams. “Why would employees say a tool makes them more productive if they worry it might eventually take their jobs?” the IT journalist pondered.
The development of AI-assisted programming is still in its early stages, and it remains exciting to observe how it performs in practice. Overall, curiosity and optimism prevailed among the GitHub Universe attendees. “Overall, there was a desire for these tools,” Ziegener summed up his impressions. AI tools are seen more as a means to increase productivity and address the shortage of skilled workers. The way we develop software will undoubtedly change significantly.