Generative AI is rapidly reshaping the role of developers, and by 2027, a staggering 80% of developers will need to upgrade their skills to remain competitive, according to a recent Gartner report. The survey, conducted across 300 organizations in the US and UK, revealed that 56% of respondents identified developers with AI and machine learning (ML) skills as the most in-demand role in 2024. However, the report also highlights a critical gap in applying AI/ML within application development, which organizations are struggling to address.
The increasing influence of AI on development teams is already evident. Junior developers are facing potential risks of being phased out, as early AI coding copilots deliver mixed results on improving productivity. Despite these initial challenges, Gartner outlines three key ways AI will impact software developers:
- Short Term: AI tools will offer modest productivity boosts by complementing the work patterns of senior developers, particularly in organizations with established technology methods.
- Medium Term: AI agents are expected to automate a broader range of tasks, signaling the rise of “AI-native software engineering” where AI-generated code replaces manual programming in many organizations.
- Long Term: While AI will make development work more efficient, the demand for skilled developers will continue to rise as AI-powered applications proliferate. Human expertise, creativity, and innovation will remain crucial to deliver complex, cutting-edge software.
Although there is speculation that AI could reduce the need for human engineers or even replace them, experts like Philip Walsh, senior principal analyst at Gartner, stress that human insight will always be vital. Walsh emphasizes the importance of developers continually evolving their skill sets to stay relevant in an AI-driven landscape.