AI-Enabled Development. How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping the Developer Role

The landscape of software development is changing, and it’s changing fast. As AI technologies like GitHub Copilot support coding and testing, streamline workflows and reduce cognitive load, developers gain more space for creativity and innovation. However, AI also presents new challenges, including concerns about job security, data protection, and staying competitive. In this blog, we explore how AI is reshaping the developer role and how to stay ahead of these changes.  

More Than a Buzzword  

AI is no longer a buzzword. It's a game-changing technology reshaping industries worldwide. According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index (1), 75% of global knowledge workers already use AI tools in some capacity. And it makes sense. AI can enhance productivity, automate routine tasks, and free up valuable time for more creative work. When integrated effectively, it can even reduce cognitive load and help ease the pressure of growing workloads.   

But, like any powerful technology, AI adoption is not without hurdles. While the benefits are clear, what do they mean on an individual level? How will AI change a developer’s daily work? And how can you prepare to harness AI’s full potential?   

AI is Changing the Developer Role  

The rise of AI is ushering in a new era for developers. No longer coding in isolation — AI now serves as a brilliant pair programmer, creating an opportunity to positively impact the developer experience.  At the same time, Generative AI is complicating simple updates by including more context than needed to fix an issue. This means that a developer has to stay on top of his or her game, to fully grasp the impact of what is being generated. 

The concept of "vibe coding" - to let Generative AI do all the heavy lifting with the developer only supplying prompts - is gaining traction, but does it lead to increased productivity when you take the long view? Or does it only add short-term gains, that are negated in the long run because large swathes of hard-to-maintain code get added without consideration for architecture and guiding principles? 

In short, we strongly believe that GenAI is the most impactful change in software development we have seen in many years – and that hiring and training highly skilled developers will remain top priority for many years to come. 

Key Benefits of GitHub Copilot 

Research shows that GitHub Copilot helps developers code up to 55% faster, while 85% report feeling more confident in their code, and 88% find they are in a better flow state (3). Further studies highlight improved functionality, code readability, higher approval rates, more secure software, faster language adoption, and more time for high-level tasks (4) — all pointing toward a more positive developer experience.  

However, these opportunities also come with challenges. Developers need to adjust to a new technology, which can present a steep learning curve. The following tips can help smooth the transition and ensure you get the most out of AI in development. 

AI Will Not Replace You — But It Will Challenge You  

As the saying goes, “AI won’t replace you, but you might be replaced by someone using AI.” For developers, this is a reality that can’t be ignored. To stay ahead, explore how AI can fit into your daily workflow and improve your role moving forward.  

Key Steps in Adopting AI 

• Master the Technology 
  AI is only as effective as the developer using it. Take the time to learn how AI can solve the specific challenges you face. Every developer’s needs are different, so equip yourself with the knowledge to leverage AI as a powerful tool in your workflow, without over-relying on it. While AI assists, aim to learn from it and continue to strengthen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.  

• Keep Quality a Top Priority 
  AI speeds up coding, but quality must remain a priority. Continue to integrate testing, code reviews, and validation into every stage of the development process. Sure, speed is important, but quality is what makes your work stand out. As AI accelerates the basics, focus on tasks that require human insight and creativity. 

• Consider Safety and Ethics 
  At Xebia, we emphasize using AI with strong guardrails to ensure code quality, security, and ethical integrity. As AI becomes more embedded in development, understanding its ethical implications, like data privacy and intellectual property, becomes even more critical. Be proactive in considering these aspects to ensure you’re using AI responsibly. 

• Collaboration is Key 
  AI is an ally — not a replacement. When considering AI’s role, think about how it can enhance collaboration within your team. For instance, can AI help break down communication barriers and align stakeholders during feature discussions? Could it improve documentation, share code snippets, or manage version control in a way that boosts teamwork and accelerates innovation? 

“Effective collaboration results in improved test coverage and faster, cleaner, more secure code writing — which are best practices for any development team.” — GitHub, The Developer Wishlist    

• Continuous Learning  

AI tools are changing quickly, and staying ahead requires constant upskilling. As a developer, you will need to keep up with new advancements, best practices, and evolving security protocols to ensure you maximize AI’s value responsibly. Now more than ever, ongoing professional growth is key to staying competitive in the field.  

AI in Software Development 

The rise of AI in software development is inevitable, but how it is integrated into workflows will ultimately depend on developers and organizations shaping that future. And at Xebia, we are happy to guide you on this journey, ensuring that AI improves your workflow while maintaining the highest standards in software development. Because while AI tools help you work faster and smarter, it’s important not to lose the creativity and problem-solving skills that drive innovation, and to always prioritize quality, security, and continuous learning.

Join our global series of events
Supercharge Your Team’s Potential with GitHub Copilot Events

Sources