The practical application of generative AI in software development
Introduction
Today, IT leaders urgently need to start delivering value from generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). The pressure is mounting to embed GenAI into applications, not as a technological novelty, but as a strategic necessity to maintain a competitive edge and differentiate in a market where tech giants have already made significant strides.
As you read this, an army of AI-powered bots is generating millions of lines of code, outpacing human developers in sheer volume and speed. The message is clear: it’s time to catch up and take control. But in this race against time, choosing where and how to embark on your AI journey can be daunting. The landscape is vast, the technologies are complex, and the stakes are high.
This guide is designed to serve as your practical guide through the complex terrain of GenAI application development before inviting you on a journey to the future of software development. It’s written for IT leaders who aren’t content with merely catching up—they want to use generative AI and AI to get ahead. It contains a wealth of unbiased information that empowers you to make informed decisions that will shape your organisation’s future in the age of GenAI. We recommend you think of it as having two parts.
Chapters 1-3 can be viewed as the first part. Chapter 1 and chapter 2 provide a comprehensive exploration of the reasons why you need to add GenAI to your apps, along with the tools, skills, and data science knowledge that this requires. You’ll be introduced to everything from fundamental concepts to advanced implementation strategies to the benefits and challenges of using traditional development methods to deliver GenAI.
But it doesn’t stop there. Chapter 3 unveils an alternative path that your development teams can take to deliver GenAI applications much faster and with a superior return on investment. You’ll learn how to use AI in ways that not only accelerate development but also ensure the quality, security, and maintainability of your applications. In the end, you’ll come away with a clear idea of how to use GenAI to your advantage.
You can think of chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 as the second part of this guide. They take you on a journey that includes building a GenAI strategy and exploring the future state of software development, where GenAI plays a major role. Making sure you have a complete, well-thought-out generative AI strategy is critical to the success of your venture, so we provide steps you can follow to craft what’s best for your organisation.
Because generative AI tools continue to proliferate at an accelerated pace, development in your IT organisation will definitely not be the same in the days to come. The final chapters of this book prepare you for the dramatic changes ahead.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore the possibilities of GenAI or you’re looking to refine your existing strategies, use this guide to the present and the future. It’s time to transform the way you think about application development and unlock the full potential of GenAI for your organisation.
Originally published on OutSystems.com
