To Github’s 38%: AI Coding Tools Are Worth Pushing Past the Fear

According to Github’s recent AI in Software Development survey, over 97% of software developers, engineers, and programmers in the U.S., Brazil, Germany, and India are using AI coding tools at work. No surprise here. We’re an inherently curious bunch that’s eager to explore and understand any emerging tech. Plus, there’s always so much work to be done; any tool that helps us do more – better, faster – is a no-brainer. 

What is surprising in Github’s survey findings is that only 38% of software creators in the U.S. say their organizations actively encourage adoption of AI coding tools. I can’t help but wonder what’s stopping them. Is it because artificial intelligence is still relatively new to the scene and, therefore, changing almost daily? Or because we don’t always have easy answers when talking about AI? Any potential reason I can come up with leads back to one thing: fear.  

At Revelry, we know “fear is the mindkiller”. It can be tough to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. But as I think about the 38% of companies that aren’t quite there yet when it comes to AI (for product development or otherwise), I want to encourage them to lean in…to push forward fearlessly. AI is not only the future, it’s the present. 

On the subject of AI development tools specifically, here are a few important ways they can help business, no matter your size, stage or industry.:

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

• Code generation: AI tools can generate code snippets or even entire functions based on natural language prompts or code examples. This reduces development time (big time) and eliminates repetitive tasks.
• Code completion: As developers type, AI tools suggest code completions (think auto-complete, like in email and Word), saving time and reducing errors.This is particularly helpful for large codebases or when working with unfamiliar frameworks or libraries.

Improved Code Quality and Reliability

• Error detection and correction: AI tools can identify and suggest corrections for common coding errors, such as syntax mistakes, flaws in logic, or potential vulnerabilities. This helps ensure code quality and reduces the risk of costly bugs.
• Code refactoring: AI tools can refactor code to improve readability, maintainability, and performance, making it easier for software developers to understand and modify code over time.

Enhanced Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

• Code reviews and feedback: AI-powered code review tools can provide feedback on code quality, style, and best practices. This helps teams maintain consistent standards and learn from one another’s expertise. (At Revelry, we’re all about sharing what we know via #RevTWIL blog posts.)
• Knowledge base and documentation: AI tools can analyze codebases to generate documentation and create knowledge bases that are easily accessible to team members. This improves knowledge sharing and reduces the learning curve for new developers.

Accelerated Innovation and Time-to-Market

• Rapid prototyping: AI tools can help designers, developers, and product managers quickly create prototypes and experiment with different design ideas. This accelerates the feedback process and allows businesses, as well as entrepreneurs to bring products to market faster.
• Scalability and adaptability: AI tools can assist in scaling software applications to meet growing demands and adapting to changing business requirements. This helps assure software systems remain relevant and competitive.

Want to chat more on this topic? Connect with us. (We love this stuff!)

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