Brand new software innovation is how today’s businesses thrive. With more and more developers choosing to design with the help of artificial intelligence - we look at why AI-assisted developer platforms are revolutionising the industry.

In the mid-20th century, the world’s first computer was created. The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC) was a 30 ton monstrosity, and is the proud grandfather of every computer created today.

The creators would not be able to fathom the tools at our disposal today. Now AI assisted software is being developed across a vast range of sectors. The precision of machines complementing human flair to produce advanced software on a greater scale than ever seen before.

AI assisted software is breaking new barriers, and allowing businesses to receive revolutionary levels of efficiency and accuracy unheard of until now. We are not yet at the stage where machines are creating machines (nor would we want to be considering the popularity of the Terminator movies) but we have arrived at a moment where man and machine can work in complementary harmony to develop sophisticated software, in a fraction of the time.

With these forward-thinking developers using all the tools at their disposal, let us take a look at the advantages of AI-powered software developers.

#1 Efficient project management

AI powered software development has completely changed the way developers produce software. Until now, software development faced severe complications. Software development platforms were under extreme stress due to the high demand of the market and the distinct shortage of competent developers available.

This led to over half of all software projects finishing well past their deadlines, and dangerously over budget. That is not including a further 18 percent of all projects that were scrapped altogether because demands were failing to be met.

All in all, software developers faced extreme pressure within their industry. Until AI stepped in to help.

Identifying project requirements was the primary cause of late or cancelled software development. The process of gathering, tracking, and validating what users require is a labour-intensive part of software development. Artificial intelligence has changed all of that.

Now, digital assistants have been developed FOR developers. Ones with the ability to flag ambiguities, to identify errors before they become an issue, point out inconsistencies, and even suggest improvements! By learning from interactions with developers, they have essentially become high-processing apprentices, learning how to make other software.

Developers now no longer have to sift through code for hours on end attempting to identify that single keystroke error. Now artificial intelligence can highlight ambiguous data entries, immeasurable quantifications (incorrect currencies, symbols etc.), and anything else that does not belong in the software. It is like a super spell-check for software developers!

There are reports of developers reducing their review times by up to 50% as artificial intelligence powers them through to meet their deadlines and keep those budgets in place! This guarantees that your expectations will be met, and your investments remain secure!

#2 Enhanced coding methods

Once upon a time, predictive text was an incredible breakthrough. Not so long ago we had to press on a keypad four times just to produce the letter S. Finally, when predictive text came along, texting became quick, easy, and enjoyable.

Now developers have developed their own version of predictive text.

Thanks to machine learning, artificial intelligence can even predict the code that a developer is going to write. Efficiency on a scale never seen before has cut down keystrokes down by 50%. In addition to providing comprehensive suggestions to developers, machine learning is also identifying bugs and glitches before they are put into action.

By reviewing the code while it is being built, artificial intelligence highlights issues before they need fixing. It has become an incredible tool in the arms of mainstream technology giants such as Facebook and Ubisoft. Facebook has revealed that their machine learning suggests fixes that are correct approximately 80% of the time, and Ubisoft stated that artificial intelligence has caught bugs before the test phase up to 70% of the time.

#3 Optimised software testing

Despite the fact that artificial intelligence catches bugs and errors before software goes to test phases, testing is obviously still mandatory for any software. Only now, analysts no longer have to generate test cases.

Although automated programs have been used by analysts for years, artificial intelligence is taking it to the next level in terms of both accuracy and speed.

With test cases generated automatically, analysts no longer have to spend time providing them. Artificial intelligence also provides a more thorough flexibility otherwise unheard of until now. By running more elastic tests, they can identify issues that are more likely to occur when programs are fully operational. They are able to account for mild variations in User Interfaces that may otherwise throw off the delicate programming. These errors would not show up on earlier, more brittle versions of automated software testing.

It also goes without saying that artificial intelligence completed these tests in a fraction of the time compared to older software testing versions.

#4 Business analyses

Software developed with the help of artificial intelligence is not limited to identifying errors and bugs previously made. It also provides comprehensive, well-structured plans for the future.

A large part of software development involves crucial decision making - Which features should be included? What are the priorities within the software?

Instead of spending lavish amounts of time and money researching and analysing existing products, artificial intelligence can complete this task in a blink of an eye. It can study and learn which features should be high profile, and prioritise decision-making based on real-time data. This data-driven software gives products maximum effectiveness when used by companies.

#5 Processing with a human touch

It can be a particularly sobering concept. The thought that machines could be producing machines, and eventually lead to some form of Skynet armageddon against the human race. Or if you are less into film analogies - the thought that robots are stealing human jobs.

The truth is extremely different. As advanced as our artificial intelligence is, they cannot produce software without a human workforce, meaning that we are an essential ingredient in the development process. AI even requires human programmers to learn from with every interaction. AI supported software development platforms are not just creating software at a faster rate than ever before, they are combining the best aspects of man and machine.

Clinical decisions made with the processing power of artificial intelligence, combined with the inspiration and flair of human ingenuity. It is revolutionising the age of computers by forcing developers to become more agile in their programming skills. Far from reducing jobs, it is simply altering their functions to become more economical.

The final word

Software development platforms have been under severe pressure until now, and artificial intelligence is the solution. By providing quicker services that are optimally designed, they are providing companies with solutions never before imagined.

Will machines eventually be able to code themselves? Well it is within the realms of possibility, but unlikely to happen anytime soon. In the event that it does happen, a human workforce would still be required to turn the power on anyway - so they will never become truly autonomous!

The power of AI supported software is now available to all businesses, and it’s only logical that we take advantage of these new leaps in development. Your business needs will be met under budget, before the deadline, and utterly flawless.

That is exactly why you should believe in the power of AI supported software development platforms.

While you’re here, why not brush up a little more on your AI knowledge? Find out why AI and Cloud fit so perfectly together.