AI is Redefining Software Engineering and Expanding Developer Roles
The role of software engineers is on the brink of a seismic shift, where writing code is no longer the primary task for developers. Instead, their focus is shifting to understanding customer needs, effectively using generative AI tools, and addressing ethical data issues and cultural intelligence in training data.
As reported by Business Insider, in a leaked recording, Amazon’s cloud chief, Matt Garman, indicated that the role of developers could undergo a dramatic change. Garman suggested that within the next couple of years, AI might take over much of the coding work, pushing developers to expand their skillsets far beyond just writing code.
As a long-time storytelling technologist with experience at NPR News and National Geographic, It’s incredible to work with software engineering students on the ethics of content creation and the importance of thoroughly grasping both the outputs generated and the need for representative training data.
At TulipAI, collaborating with Dr. Reza Moradinezhad and a talented group of software engineering students from Drexel University, along with a master’s student in AI from Florida Atlantic University, on our AI and Audio course, I’ve observed them adapt to the evolving landscape. They’re gaining essential skills beyond coding that will be crucial for the next generation of engineers.
I asked each of the students to reflect on the skills and knowledge they gained from working on the AI and Audio course and how these might be valuable for their future careers. I was particularly interested in understanding how they believe this experience will enhance their resumes or contribute to their professional development, especially as the role of software engineers evolves with the rise of AI.
1. Is Coding Still Worth It?
Ben Castro, who’s pursuing his master’s in AI at Florida Atlantic University, has been thinking a lot about this question: Is coding still worth it? Ben explains, “As I’ve observed advancements in AI and had the opportunity to work with TulipAI for a little more than a year, a big question has come up repeatedly:
Is coding worth knowing? My immediate answer is yes, as I spent four years earning my bachelor’s degree in software engineering. However, when I think about it more deeply, I get stumped.” He realizes that while AI can now generate code quickly, there’s still a deep value in understanding the fundamentals of coding. “As software engineers,” Ben adds, “we should know how to code and use AI as a tool to advance and improve our work.”
2. Preparing for the AI-Driven Workforce
For Aidan Leyden, a software engineering student at Drexel University, what really surprised him was how much more there is to AI than he first thought. “Like many, my initial perception of AI was limited to generating off-putting images or answering questions that felt too tedious to Google. This project required me to dig deeper, and I realized that my understanding of AI barely scratched the surface of its capabilities,” Aidan notes. For him, this experience is about staying ahead of the curve and being ready for whatever comes next.
“As someone planning to work in a tech-related industry, I now recognize that AI could dramatically shift not just my field of study but many others. This experience has placed me closer to the pulse of the evolving world of AI, hopefully making me more prepared for what comes next,” Aidan added.
3. The Art of Asking the Right Questions
Benna Reji, also a student at Drexel University, discovered the importance of ‘effective prompting’ — the art of asking the right questions when working with AI tools like ChatGPT.
“Through the AI and Audio course, I gained a deep understanding of the importance of effective prompting when working with AI tools like ChatGPT,” Benna explains. “This skill has been invaluable, as it enables me to refine my problem-solving process, allowing me to generate well-thought-out solutions more efficiently.”
Benna also learned how to integrate AI into web applications, making them more interactive and user-friendly. “This hands-on experience not only demonstrated the vast potential of AI in software development but also highlighted the opportunities AI presents in creating innovative solutions,” he adds.
4. Keeping AI in Check
Zhixian Li, another Drexel student, focused on something crucial: the need for human oversight in AI.
“For me, I was able to learn about the importance of human validation and verification in developing and using AI technologies,” Zhixian shares. “This is a very crucial skill for software engineers to have as AI is becoming more prevalent than ever today.”
He emphasizes that as AI takes on more tasks, the ability to critically assess and validate AI outputs will be essential for software engineers.
Wrapping It Up: More Than Just Coders
What’s clear from the experiences of these students is that the future of software engineering is about more than just writing code. It’s about adapting to new ways of working, asking the right questions, and keeping a close eye on what AI is doing. Their work on the AI and Audio course at TulipAI has given them a head start in developing these skills.
As a long-time media practitioner, I was also able to help them understand the ethics of using AI tools and the importance of transparency. We emphasized the importance of verifying AI tools and understanding their ethical values before putting them to use.
As I transition into my new role as an AI Strategist Senior at Booz Allen, TulipAI is also in a state of evolution, making these insights timely and impactful. And who knows? These students may soon be crafting the next groundbreaking AI tools or leading the way in ethical tech development.
This content was crafted with the assistance of AI, which helped structure the narrative, ensure grammatical accuracy, summarize key points, and enhance readability and coherence.
